Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for deeper and more varied defence cooperation between Bangladesh and Turkiye during talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The two leaders met at the Max Royal Hotel in Antalya on Tuesday evening, said Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. The meeting took place a day before the two-day World Leaders' Summit of COP31, the UN climate conference which runs on November 11 and 12.
Tarique Rahman also urged joint investment in the defence sector and closer dialogue to boost trade and investment. On energy and minerals both sides discussed expanding cooperation. He said Turkish investors have opportunities in Bangladesh's renewable energy sector.
On climate change, he stressed the need for international cooperation to help vulnerable countries like Bangladesh. He congratulated Turkiye on hosting COP31.
On the Rohingya crisis, he thanked Turkiye for its steady support. He praised Ankara's solidarity with the Rohingya at the International Court of Justice and its humanitarian aid on the ground. He said Turkiye's role at the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is vital for the safe, dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingya. He urged Ankara to keep backing them in international forums.
He also recalled his meeting with Erdogan at the UN General Assembly in New York in September and praised progress in ties since then.
The prime minister arrived in Antalya earlier on Tuesday for a three-day visit. His flight with carrying his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and other members of the delegation, landed at 4:03 pm local time after a stopover in Istanbul.
He will address a plenary session on November 12 and hold several meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the summit.
