Dhaka: Bangladesh and Turkiye have decided to form a joint committee at the minister level on defence and foreign affairs to strengthen bilateral relations. The decision was taken during a meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in the city’s Tejgaon area this afternoon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Prime Minister’s Press Wing stated that the meeting also concluded with the decision to hold annual meetings at the foreign minister level between the two countries to enhance strategic relations. The meeting expressed hope for collaborative efforts in trade, investment, production, and resolving the Rohingya crisis.
At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman extended a warm welcome to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the government of Turkiye for its continued support to the people and government of Bangladesh, including backing Bangladesh’s candidate for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, State Minister Shama Obaed Islam, and Prime Minister’s Adviser for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir. Hakan Fidan arrived in Dhaka from Seoul on Thursday night for a three-day visit to Bangladesh. On Friday, he held a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka, and later traveled to Cox’s Bazar to observe the situation of the Rohingyas.