Bangladesh and Turkiye have decided to form a joint committee at the ministerial level on defence and foreign affairs to strengthen bilateral relations. It was also decided that annual 2+2 consultations will be held involving foreign and defence ministers of both sides.
The decision was taken during a meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in the city's Tejgaon area on Saturday, according to the Prime Minister's Press Wing.
In addition, with a view to further strengthening political, economic and strategic cooperation between the two countries, a consultation mechanism in the form of a committee would be established under the respective foreign ministers who will involve the concerned ministries of each side.
The meeting reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations. Discussions focused particularly on the Rohingya issue, climate change, trade and investment, joint production and cooperation, and regional and international matters of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman extended an invitation to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.
Fidan conveyed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's greetings to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
He said that his visit constituted the first step towards elevating Bangladesh-Turkiye relations to a strategic level.
In this regard, both sides agreed to hold Annual Foreign Office Consultations at the level of Foreign Ministers.
From Bangladesh side, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, State Minister Shama Obaed Islam and Prime Minister's Adviser for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir were present at the meeting.
The Prime Minister thanked the government of Turkiye for its continued support to the people and government of Bangladesh and for supporting Bangladesh's candidate for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Hakan Fidan arrived in Dhaka on Thursday night on a two-day visit to Bangladesh.
On Friday, he held a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Fidan later travelled to Cox's Bazar to observe the situation of the Rohingyas.
