Marcos welcomes new Turkiye, Egypt ambassadors to PH

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. receives Turkish Ambassador Kaan Esener at the Malacañang, October 19, 2026. Handout/PCO

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday welcomed two new ambassadors to the Philippines, expressing optimism to continue forging closer ties with Turkiye and Egypt through their new representatives.

Marcos received the credentials of Turkish Ambassador Kaan Esener, and Egyptian Ambassador Ihab Ahmed Aboserie Ahmed in Malacañang.

Esener is a Turkish career diplomat who has served as his country’s Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe in 2018 before heading the International Law division at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ahmed worked as Egypt’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Yemen before he was posted  to the Philippines. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. receives Egyptian Ambassador Ihab Ahmed Aboserie Ahmed at the Malacañang, October 19, 2026. Handout/PCO“With 77 years of diplomatic relations, the Philippines and Türkiye continue to explore opportunities to expand economic cooperation and strengthen people-to-people ties,” Malacañang said in a statement, noting that bilateral trade between Manila and Ankara has reached $365 million in 2025.

On the other hand, Manila and Cairo are set to celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations, the Palace said.

“Both remain committed to fostering stronger ties and exploring new avenues for cooperation,” it read, underscoring that the Philippines hopes to “further advance economic engagement and cultural exchanges” with Egypt, where 2025 bilateral trade is pegged at $36.58 million.