World
PM Tarique Rahman seeks Turkey’s support for Rohingya repatriation
Translated by Desk Report
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged Turkey to continue supporting efforts to find a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis and repatriate the Rohingya sheltered in Bangladesh.
He made the call during a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Maxx Royal Hotel in Antalya, Turkey, on Tuesday (10 November) evening.
The prime minister said Turkey’s support and active role at the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) were important to ensuring the safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya.
The prime minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu briefed the media on the meeting. He said Tarique Rahman expressed gratitude for Turkey’s continued solidarity at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the Rohingya humanitarian crisis. He also thanked Turkey for providing humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya sheltered in Bangladesh.
The prime minister arrived in Turkey on Tuesday to attend the world leaders’ summit at COP31, the UN climate change conference. The two leaders met before the conference’s formal proceedings began.
The meeting covered ways to strengthen bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Turkey, as well as defence cooperation, trade, investment, energy, mineral resources and efforts to address the impacts of climate change.
Emphasising expanded defence cooperation, the prime minister said the two countries needed to deepen and diversify their partnership in the sector. He also highlighted the potential for joint investment alongside cooperation with Turkey in Bangladesh’s defence sector.
The prime minister also stressed the importance of strengthening regular communication and dialogue between the two countries to increase trade and investment.
Prospects for cooperation in energy and mineral resources
The meeting addressed energy security and greater mutual cooperation in the mineral resources sector. In particular, the two leaders discussed opportunities for Turkish investment and partnerships in Bangladesh’s renewable energy sector.
Focus on tackling climate change
Tarique Rahman highlighted the need for greater international cooperation to help vulnerable countries such as Bangladesh address the adverse impacts of climate change. He stressed the importance of building effective partnerships in this area.
The prime minister also congratulated the Turkish president and government on hosting COP31.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir attended the meeting.
