BD-Türkiye ties reach new strategic heights

Bangladesh-Türkiye relations have reached a new strategic height 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 sides discussed expanding cooperation in various sectors, including trade and investment, energy, aviation and defence industries.

Both sides expressed particular interest in exploring opportunities to develop a defence industry in Bangladesh through joint investment.

Humayun Kabir made the remarks at a press conference at the Papillon Zeugma Relaxury Hotel in Antalya, Türkiye, on Tuesday night.

The state minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Türkiye on Tuesday to attend the World Leaders’ Summit of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31). He held a bilateral meeting with the Turkish president on the first day of his visit.

He said the prime minister was welcomed at the VVIP State Guest House during a stopover in Istanbul, where he received special hospitality from the Turkish president. Later, upon his arrival in Antalya, Türkiye’s Culture Minister welcomed him and a guard of honour was accorded to him.

Humayun Kabir described the meeting between the two leaders as cordial and held in a fraternal atmosphere. President Erdogan addressed Tarique Rahman as “my dear friend and brother” and expressed his interest in taking bilateral relations to a new level, he said.

The meeting focused on increasing bilateral trade and investment, strengthening energy partnerships, attracting investment in the aviation sector and expanding cooperation in the defence industry.

The state minister said the Bangladesh government had taken an initiative to establish a defence industry park in the country. Discussions were held on potential Turkish investment and joint ventures in the sector.

However, no agreement or memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed yet, as the matter remains at an initial stage of exploration and discussion, he added.

He also said the two sides discussed cooperation in the energy sector, particularly offshore mineral and energy exploration, renewable energy and the use of Türkiye’s experience and best practices in these fields.

Bangladesh is interested in developing a strong investment partnership with Türkiye in these sectors, he added.

On the Rohingya crisis, Humayun Kabir said the two leaders discussed the safe, peaceful and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas. They also exchanged views on advancing joint initiatives following the hearings on the Rohingya issue at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) scheduled for November.

He said Bangladesh and Türkiye discussed working together to ensure the safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland. The meeting also discussed strengthening mutual cooperation on key issues concerning the Muslim world.

On climate change, the state minister said Bangladesh aspired to play a leading role among the countries of the Global South in addressing climate challenges and securing climate finance.

He said Bangladesh was not merely a country vulnerable to climate change but was also actively working to raise international awareness and ensure easier access to climate finance.

Bangladeshi representatives will participate in various thematic dialogues and sessions at COP31, presenting the country’s positions on climate adaptation, financing and addressing loss and damage, he added.

Humayun Kabir said the Turkish president was holding bilateral meetings with selected heads of state and government attending COP31. His meeting with Tarique Rahman reflected Türkiye’s special interest in and importance attached to Bangladesh, he added.

He also said Bangladesh was moving forward with new prospects under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, while international interest in the country’s new government had increased following its democratic transition.

The state minister said Tarique Rahman had invited President Erdogan and his spouse to visit Bangladesh.

The prime minister has several important engagements scheduled for Wednesday, including bilateral meetings with heads of state and government from different countries and a meeting with the British foreign secretary, he added.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Saimum Parvez, Press Secretary Saleh Shibli and Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu were also present at the press conference.