Antalya: Dhaka has urged Slovakia to recruit a significant number of Bangladeshi workers in sectors such as the automotive industry and to facilitate the process for Slovak visas for Bangladeshi citizens. This request was made during a meeting between Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain and Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md. Mahfuz Alam with Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Juraj Blanár, at the ‘Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) 2025’ in Antalya, Trkiye.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during the meeting, both parties acknowledged the importance of strengthening the relationship between Bangladesh and Slovakia, emphasizing shared values, principles, and mutual understanding. They expressed a commitment to enhancing bilateral ties across various areas of shared interest, including trade, investment, and economic collaboration.
Foreign Adviser Hossain highlighted Bangladesh’s potential as an investment destination and urged Slovakia to send a delegation to identify trade and inv
estment opportunities. He proposed that Slovakia could adopt the ‘Talent Partnership’ model of the European Union to recruit Bangladeshi workers in various sectors. The meeting also covered enhancing cooperation in multilateral forums.
Slovak Minister Blanár agreed to improve business-to-business connections and committed to sending a business team to Bangladesh to explore investment opportunities. The meeting was attended by the Bangladesh Ambassador to Turkey and senior officials from both sides.
The ADF 2025, hosted by the Turkish Foreign Ministry under the patronage of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, commenced in Antalya with the theme “Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World.” This year’s theme highlights the necessity for diplomacy to act as a stabilizing force amidst growing global divisions.
The forum gathered global leaders, policymakers, academics, business experts, media representatives, and civil society members to discuss how diplomacy can navigate a fragmented world towards collective acti
on. Over 20 heads of state and government, more than 50 foreign ministers, over 70 ministers, and approximately 60 senior representatives from international organizations, along with over 4,000 guests including students, attended the forum.