Bangladesh-Turkey Relations Reach New Strategic Level: Humayun Kabir
Bangladesh’s relations with Turkey have reached a new strategic level following a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir has said.
He said the two leaders discussed ways to increase cooperation in several areas, including trade and investment, defence industries, energy, aviation and mineral exploration.
He made the remarks at a press conference in Antalya, Turkey, on Tuesday night.
Humayun Kabir said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Turkey on Tuesday to attend the COP31 climate conference. On the first day of his visit, he held a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
He said the meeting was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere. During the meeting, Erdogan addressed the prime minister as “my dear friend and brother” and expressed his interest in further strengthening relations with Bangladesh.
The state minister said the two leaders discussed increasing trade and investment between the two countries and the possibility of joint projects in the defence industry.
He said Bangladesh has taken an initiative to set up a defence industrial park. They also discussed the possibility of Turkish investment and technical support for the project. However, no agreement or memorandum of understanding has been signed on the matter yet.
In the energy sector, they discussed mineral and energy exploration in deep-sea areas, renewable energy and the use of Turkey’s experience in these fields.
The two leaders also stressed the need to increase investment and cooperation in the aviation sector.
Regarding the Rohingya crisis, Humayun Kabir said the two countries discussed working together to ensure the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Rohingya people to Myanmar.
They also discussed strengthening mutual cooperation on important issues facing the Muslim world.
Speaking about Bangladesh’s position on climate change and climate finance, the state minister said Bangladesh wants to lead the countries of the Global South to ensure a fair share of support for countries at risk from climate change.
Bangladeshi representatives will raise issues related to climate adaptation, climate finance and loss and damage at different sessions of the COP31 conference.
He said the Turkish president was holding bilateral meetings with heads of state and government from different countries attending COP31. The meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman reflects Turkey’s special importance to Bangladesh.
He also said international interest in Bangladesh’s new government had increased following the country’s democratic transition.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman invited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife to visit Bangladesh.
Humayun Kabir said the prime minister is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with several heads of state and government on Wednesday. He is also scheduled to meet the foreign secretary of the United Kingdom.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Saimum Parvez, Press Secretary Saleh Shibli and Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu were present at the press conference.
