ZCZC
BSS-50
PM-YILDIRIM-TALKS-2-DHAKA
The Turkish prime minister urged the international community and UN to
remain beside Bangladesh until the Rohingya crisis was over while reassured
Dhaka of Ankara’s continued support to Bangladesh which Dhaka needed to
assist the displaced people of Myanmar.
Appreciating the 2021 goal of the present government to make Bangladesh a
middle income country he said Ankara was ready to be a partner of this
development.
He also highly appreciated the role of Bangladesh on Jerusalem issue and
presence of Bangladesh President in the special summit of the OIC on the
issue.
Briefing reporters after the bilateral talks Foreign Secretary Md.
Shahidul Huq said the talks were held in a very cordial and warm atmosphere
and before the talks the two prime ministers held a tete-e-tete.
In the meeting Sheikh Hasina pointed out the potentials of bilateral trade
and investment which should be exploited and urged the Turkish prime minister
to withdraw trade barriers including the additional duty on garments items.
The Turkish premier assured Sheikh Hasina to look into the matter after
returning home, the foreign sectary said.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh government is ready to allot land for
Turkish investors if they agree to invest in the Special Economic Zones and
simultaneously sought preferential treatment for some Bangladeshi commodities
and quick execution of the Free Trade Agreement pending to be initialed.
Yildirim in reply agreed to discuss the issues in the meeting of the Joint
Economic Commission of the two countries scheduled to be held in April next
year in Ankara.
The foreign secretary said the two premiers meeting decided to establish
Turkish-Bangladesh Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Association.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina informed Yildirim that Bangladesh gave
shelter to one million Rohingyas of Myanmar on humanitarian ground and Dhaka
want to resolve the issue without spoiling its relation with the neighbouring
country.
In this regard she referred to a bilateral arrangement with Myanmar to
send back the Rohingyas to their homeland but she simultaneously stressed the
need for keeping pressure on Myanmar on the issue.
The prime minister requested the Turkish premier to build shelter houses
and hospitals for the Rohingyas in the Bhasan Char as the government has
decided to relocate them there.
Foreign SEcretary said the visit of Turkish Prime Minister is a step
forward’ to explore the potentials lies between the two countries.
PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim Was present during the briefing.
BSS/AKH/AR/ 2012 fdz