Bangladesh and Turkiye have agreed to establish a ministerial-level joint committee on defence and foreign affairs as part of efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation and strengthen strategic engagement between the two countries.
The decision was reached during a meeting between Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon.
According to the Prime Minister’s Press Wing, the proposed committee will serve as a platform for regular consultations on defence and foreign policy matters, reflecting the growing importance of relations between the two nations.
The two sides also agreed to institutionalise annual meetings between their foreign ministers to maintain momentum in bilateral engagement and enhance strategic cooperation on regional and international issues.
During the meeting, both countries expressed optimism about expanding collaboration in several key sectors, including trade, investment and industrial production. They also discussed the importance of continued cooperation in addressing the Rohingya crisis and supporting efforts aimed at finding a sustainable solution to the humanitarian issue.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman welcomed Hakan Fidan and thanked the Turkish government for its longstanding support to Bangladesh. He also expressed appreciation for Turkiye’s backing of Bangladesh’s successful bid for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Senior Bangladeshi officials, including Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, State Minister Shama Obaed Islam and Foreign Affairs Adviser of the PM Humaiun Kobir, were present at the meeting.
Hakan Fidan arrived in Dhaka on Thursday night for a three-day official visit. During his stay, he held bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and later travelled to Cox's Bazar to observe conditions in the Rohingya camps and assess the ongoing humanitarian situation.
The visit is being seen as another step towards strengthening ties between Bangladesh and Turkiye, which have steadily expanded cooperation in diplomacy, defence, trade and humanitarian affairs in recent years.
