Bangladesh, Turkey to form joint ministerial committees on defence, political cooperation

Bangladesh and Turkiye on Saturday reached an understanding to form ministerial-level joint committees to strengthen cooperation in defence and political areas.

The understanding came when visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon, said a release issued by the PM's Press Wing.

During the meeting, the two sides also agreed to hold annual meetings between the foreign ministers of the two countries in order to further deepen strategic relations.

The Prime Minister thanked Turkiye for its continued support to Bangladesh, particularly for backing its candidate for the presidency of the 81st UN General Assembly session.

The Press Wing said that issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting.

Both sides expressed optimism about enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, joint production and resolving the Rohingya crisis, it said.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and State Minister Shama Obaed, among others, were present at the meeting.

Hakan Fidan arrived in Dhaka from Seoul on Thursday night on a three-day official visit to Bangladesh.

On Friday, he held a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka before travelling to Cox's Bazar to observe the situation of the Rohingya refugees.

The Turkish foreign minister is scheduled to leave Dhaka later on Saturday.