Bangladesh a Rising Star under Hasina's Leadership: Turkish FM

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu applauded Bangladesh's progress on Wednesday, saying that the country has become a rising star in South Asia under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He made remarks at a joint briefing with his Bangladesh counterpart Dr. AK Abdul Momen at the Padma State Guesthouse following their bilateral talks.

The Turkish Foreign Minister said that the Rohingya issue has become a huge burden on Bangladesh and has assured Dhaka of continuing support from Ankara to resolve the crisis.

He said that the Rohingyas must return to their homeland in a peaceful, voluntary and dignified manner.

The Turkish Foreign Minister backed the Bangladesh Government's efforts to provide Rohingyas with better living conditions by relocating them to Bhasan Char before repatriation takes place.

He suggested the government of Bangladesh to work closely with the United Nations and its agencies in this regard.

Turkish Foreign Minister sought stronger support from the international community in terms of burden sharing not just appreciative words but concrete steps.

Earlier, Bangladesh and Turkish foreign ministers discussed bilateral and regional issues, including Rohingya situation, as the two countries are keen to open a new chapter in their relations with an emphasis on stronger trade and investment relations.

The two Foreign Ministers met briefly at the same venue prior to the bilateral meeting.

Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday night.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen got Mevlut Cavusoglu at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Also present was the Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh, Mustafa Osman Turan.

The Turkish Foreign Minister began the day visiting the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum on Wednesday morning, where he paid homage to the Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman.

Cavusoglu had a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before his meeting with Dr Momen.

Both the ministers will join the formal inauguration of the new Chancery Complex of the Turkish Embassy in Baridhara on the same day in the afternoon.

The Turkish Foreign Minister is scheduled to leave Dhaka after that by a private jet.

The Bangladesh Foreign Minister visited Turkey in September of this year and entered the formal inauguration of the newly-built Bangladesh Embassy in Ankara. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has practically joined the program as Chief Guest.

Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan recently said that his country is seeing increased investment in Bangladesh and a big jump in bilateral trade as Bangladesh's economy is rising high.

“We see a Bangladesh which has a very bright future. Its economy is growing fast like ours. Turkish investors are keen to invest in Bangladesh as it offers attractive incentives for foreign investors,” he told UNB in an interview at his office.

A prominent Turkish company will initially invest US$ 100 million in LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) sector in Chattogram, Turan informed.

Improving trade between the two countries, boosting investment in Bangladesh, enhancing cultural and people-to-people ties are among his priorities on behalf of Turkey.

The bilateral trade volume between the two countries is now around US$ 1 billion annually and both countries believe there is a scope to increase it further.