Turkish FM arrives in Dhaka on two-day visit

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan arrived in Dhaka Thursday night on a two-day official visit as Bangladesh and Türkiye seek to expand strategic cooperation and strengthen trade, investment, and humanitarian engagement.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam received him upon arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

During the visit, Khalilur and his Turkish counterpart are scheduled to hold bilateral talks on Friday, focusing on a wide range of issues, including trade and investment, security cooperation, regional developments, and matters of mutual interest.

Fidan is also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and visit Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, underscoring Türkiye’s continued support for displaced Rohingyas and humanitarian efforts in Bangladesh.

The Turkish foreign minister’s trip marks his first visit to Bangladesh.

As part of his itinerary, Fidan will inspect humanitarian assistance projects implemented in the camps by Turkish agencies and organisations, including the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the Turkish Red Crescent, the Turkish Diyanet Foundation, and Türkiye’s Ministry of Health. He will also visit the Turkish Field Hospital operating in the camps.

Bangladesh and Türkiye have been working to further strengthen their economic partnership, with both sides aiming to increase bilateral trade volume from $1.35 billion in 2025 to $2 billion in the coming years.

The visit follows a bilateral meeting between Khalilur and Fidan in Ankara on 14 March, which was the first foreign minister-level engagement between the two countries after the BNP government assumed office.