Visit first step to elevate ties to strategic level, says Fidan

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said his visit to Bangladesh marks the first step towards elevating Dhaka-Ankara relations to a strategic level as he caps his Dhaka mission with a call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The meeting at the Prime Minister's Office on Saturday was the final engagement during Fidan's three-day official visit to Bangladesh.

Officials said the foreign minister conveyed greetings from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and reaffirmed Türkiye's commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across a wide range of sectors.

According to the officials, both sides agreed to institutionalise high-level engagement by holding Annual Foreign Office Consultations at the level of foreign ministers. They also decided to launch annual "2+2" consultations involving the foreign and defence ministers of the two countries.

To further strengthen political, economic and strategic cooperation, the two sides agreed to establish a consultation mechanism in the form of a committee under their respective foreign ministers, involving relevant ministries from both countries.

The meeting reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, with discussions focusing on the Rohingya crisis, climate change, trade and investment, joint production and cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Prime Minister Rahman thanked the Turkish foreign minister for undertaking the visit and expressed appreciation for Türkiye's continued support on issues important to Bangladesh.

He also extended an invitation to President Erdo?an to visit Bangladesh "at a mutually convenient time in the near future".

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed and Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir were present during the meeting.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com