Turkish Foreign Minister to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to arrive in Dhaka on Thursday, June 4, on a three-day visit as the two countries work to expand their strategic partnership.

During the visit, he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on June 6.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, currently in New York, will return to Dhaka on Thursday morning, just hours before Fidan's arrival. A senior government official said Dr Khalilur is returning ahead of Fidan's visit.

On March 14, Dr Khalilur Rahman held a bilateral meeting with Fidan in Ankara. Both sides expressed hope that the outcome of that meeting would help deepen cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries in the coming years.

During that meeting, Bangladesh emphasised increasing direct foreign investment from Turkey and expanding export of skilled manpower to Turkey. Turkey reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining friendly and fraternal relations with Bangladesh at both bilateral and multilateral levels. Humayun Kabir was also present.

It was the first bilateral meeting between the two foreign ministers since the BNP government took office in Bangladesh. They discussed the entire range of bilateral relations and exchanged views on various regional and international issues of mutual interest. Both sides also expressed joint commitment to work together for establishing peace in Gaza.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between Turkey's Diplomacy Academy and the Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy to enhance institutional cooperation in diplomatic training and capacity development.