Bangladesh keen on deepening ties with Turkey

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Bangladesh was keen to boost its relations with Turkey for mutual benefits as it was deeply rooted in shared history, faith and traditions based on trust and confidence.

She was opening Bangladesh's embassy complex in Ankara from the Gono Bhaban virtually.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Momen also spoke at the programme.

Hasina said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its relations with Turkey.

Recalling her visit to Ankara at the invitation of then prime minister and now President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on April 13, 2012, the PM said the formal diplomatic ties between the two countries began in 1974.

She thanked the government and the people of Turkey for extending support to Bangladesh on various issues, including the Rohingya crisis.

"All the support you extended for [resolving] the Rohingya crisis, we also thank you for your support…. I think it has been nearly three years [since the crisis broke out]. So, Rohingya people should go back to their own country. I feel Turkey can play a pivotal role in this regard."

About Covid-19, the premier said the world is passing through a difficult time due to the pandemic as it has battered the health system and the economies of most countries of the world.

Hasina said Bangladesh has been able to successfully contain the spread of the virus.

She commended Turkish leadership for its success in fighting the pandemic and appreciated its initiative to dispatch medical supplies to different countries, including Bangladesh.

The PM said Bangladesh is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. After showing some initial sluggishness for a month or two due to the pandemic, the country's exports have started making a turnaround from July.

"…we are overcoming the situation. The country's foreign currency reserve now stands at a record $39.40 billion. We are on the right path to graduate from LDC to a developing country," she said.

Talking about the newly-built Embassy Complex, Hasina said it took less than two years to complete the construction of the embassy building with the help of the Turkish and Bangladeshi authorities concerned.

The spacious complex has all facilities along with a beautiful auditorium. It proudly hosts a bust of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and a Shahid Minar.

The PM said Bangladesh is set to expand its global outreach by establishing many more diplomatic offices to achieve vision 2021 and 2041.

"This permanent embassy complex in Ankara is a testimony to the priority Bangladesh attaches to boost further its friendship with Turkey. The recently built Turkish embassy building in Dhaka also demonstrates the same sentiment."

She hoped the formal opening of the Turkish embassy building in Dhaka would also take place soon with the presence of President Erdogan during the ongoing Mujib Borsho.

"Please convey my invitation to the president and the first lady," Hasina requested the Turkish foreign minister.

She also thanked Turkey for repairing a Bangladeshi Navy ship which was damaged in the recent blast in Lebanon.