Ankara eager to sell weapons to Dhaka

Turkey is willing to sell weapons to Bangladesh as it is now producing the most of its required arms.

The issue was discussed in a meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Momen in the capital yesterday.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Momen said, "This was not on the agenda. But the Turkish minister shared the idea of defence cooperation."

The visiting minister said his country is producing world-class military equipment and it does not impose many conditions on sales.

Asked about Bangladesh's response, Momen said they did not make any prompt response to it. He, however, said Bangladesh wants to diversify its sources of defence purchase.

"We don't buy much defence equipment. If needed, we may consider the issue, but nothing concrete was discussed."

The minister said Bangladesh is more interested in trade and investment with Turkey.

TURKISH MINISTER MEETS PM

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday sought Turkey's involvement in ensuring the return of Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar from Bangladesh.

She made the request when visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu called on her at the Gono Bhaban, reports UNB.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, PM's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Jahid Tusher said the premier also sought more Turkish investment in Bangladesh's special economic zones.

She said Bangladesh offers a huge market as the country is situated at the centre of South and South-East Asia. Both countries will be benefited from this investment, the PM added.

Expressing Turkey's keen interest in strengthening bilateral relations with Bangladesh, the visiting minister said his country will do whatever is needed to strengthen bilateral trade.

Hasina thanked Turkey for repairing Bangladesh's Naval warship "Bijoy" which was damaged in a devastating blast in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.

She reiterated the invitation for the Turkish president to visit Bangladesh.

Mevlut Cavusoglu said the Turkish president might visit Bangladesh in March, the golden jubilee month of Bangladesh's Independence, if the novel coronavirus situation improves.

He highly appreciated the PM's leadership and the development of Bangladesh.

Principal Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office Ahmad Kaikaus and Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan were present.

TURKEY SUPPORTS ROHINGYA REPATRIATION

The visiting Turkish foreign minister yesterday lauded Bangladesh's progress saying that the country has become a rising star in South Asia and a model of sustainable development for the entire world under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He made the remarks at a joint briefing with his Bangladesh counterpart Momen at state guesthouse Padma after holding their bilateral talks, adds UNB.

Mentioning that the Rohingya issue has become a huge burden for Bangladesh, the Turkish minister assured Dhaka of Ankara's continuous support to resolve the crisis. "This burden could be shared by the international community."

Cavusoglu said the Rohingyas must return to their homeland in a safe, voluntary and dignified manner and this is one of the areas where the two countries will continue to work together.

He congratulated Bangladesh for successfully fighting Covid-19 under the leadership of the PM. "We will provide more support if Bangladesh needs."

He said they discussed how to build a Turkish hospital in Bangladesh and that they were working on different models.

The Turkish minister congratulated Bangladesh on the occasion of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of Bangladesh's Independence, to be celebrated in March next year.

Earlier, the two foreign ministers discussed bilateral and regional issues, including the Rohingya situation.

They met briefly at the same venue prior to the bilateral meeting.

Cavusoglu arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday night. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen received him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.