Tarique, Erdogan discuss stronger defence, investment ties

Bangladesh and Türkiye have agreed to explore greater defence cooperation and investment, alongside efforts to strengthen the two countries’ broader economic, political and strategic partnership.
The issues were discussed during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in New York on Tuesday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said.
The two leaders held the meeting at the Turkish House at United Nations Plaza on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Briefing reporters later at Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Humaiun said Erdogan described Tarique as a “valued brother” and expressed interest in building a broader partnership with Bangladesh.
“He specifically said that the Turkish government wants to build a broad economic, political and strategic partnership with Bangladesh,” Humaiun said.

Defence and investment
Humaiun said the talks covered trade and investment, along with defence cooperation and investment in the defence sector.
The two sides also discussed coordinating their positions on issues concerning the Muslim world at international forums and working together on humanitarian issues, particularly the Rohingya crisis.
“It was a highly productive meeting, and the two leaders exchanged views in a very cordial atmosphere,” Humaiun said.
“Both leaders emphasised establishing a special bilateral relationship in the future.”
Mahdi Amin, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, described the meeting as “constructive, sincere and cordial”.
He said Erdogan congratulated Tarique on his election victory and invited him to visit Türkiye.
The Erdogan meeting was one of a series of engagements Tarique attended on his first day at the General Assembly.
According to the briefing, the prime minister attended 10 of the 12 scheduled events in person.

Rohingya repatriation
Two of Tarique’s meetings focused on the Rohingya crisis, with discussions centring on efforts to facilitate the safe, voluntary and dignified return of the refugees to Myanmar.
His talks with the UN refugee agency and the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy on Myanmar also covered ways to
strengthen international efforts to resolve the protracted crisis.
Mahdi said Tarique sought greater international support for a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis.
Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Irene Khan, said Dhaka wanted to keep the crisis on the international agenda.
“We do not want the refugee situation to be forgotten,” she said.
Irene said Bangladesh needed increased international funding to support the Rohingya in the camps and was seeking global assistance to create conditions for their safe return home.

Meta considers Dhaka office
The briefing also highlighted discussions with Meta over the possibility of the technology giant establishing an office or a focal point in Dhaka.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed said the talks covered Meta’s operations in Bangladesh, cybersecurity, e-commerce and online businesses, as well as potential cooperation with educational institutions.
The two sides also discussed ways Meta could help curb digital harassment on social media while taking Bangladesh’s social and cultural context into consideration, she said.
According to Shama, Meta will consider establishing a presence in Dhaka.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman meets several world leaders and representatives of international ogranisations on Tuesday and Wednesday on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the US. Here the premeir is seen with:

(1) Bhutan premier Dasho Tshering Tobgay,

(2) Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé,

(3) Maldives Vice-President Hussain Mohamed Latheef

(4) World Bank Group President Ajay Banga,

(5) UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Barham Salih,

(6) Special Envoy of UN Secretary General on Myanmar Julie Bishop, and

(7) Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman.