Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has departed Dhaka following the conclusion of his two-day official visit to Bangladesh.
Before leaving the capital on Saturday (June 6), the Turkish Foreign Minister expressed a strong commitment to further strengthening the historical and fraternal ties between the two nations, while extending his deep gratitude for the warm hospitality he received. He characterized the relationship between Bangladesh and Turkey as a unique example of solidarity during challenging times.
During his visit, Foreign Minister Fidan held a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, engaged in bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, and visited the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar.
In his departure message, Hakan Fidan stated: "The friendship between Turkey and Bangladesh is one between two nations that exhibit solidarity in difficult times, transcending mere mutual interests. We will continue to make this bond even stronger."
He noted that Bangladesh was the fourth and final destination of his Asia-Pacific tour, where he was received by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, followed by extensive discussions with Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman.
"Throughout our visit, we witnessed the immense potential of Bangladesh as it enters a new era following the elections held in February, alongside the comprehensive efforts being made to ensure that our Bangladeshi brothers and sisters can live in peace, prosperity, and stability," Fidan said.
The Turkish Foreign Minister emphasized that bilateral relations are built on an exceptionally solid foundation in alignment with the fraternal bonds shared by the two countries. He reaffirmed Turkey's commitment to enhancing mutual cooperation across all sectors in the coming days and to supporting the people of Bangladesh with the same unwavering determination.
Fidan extended his sincere thanks to the Bangladeshi authorities and citizens, particularly Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, for their warm hospitality.
He also reiterated his congratulations to Khalilur Rahman on his recent election as the President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, expressing full confidence that he would discharge his crucial responsibilities with great success.
A major focus of the visit was Fidan's tour of the refugee camps in Cox's Bazar. Addressing this issue, the Turkish Foreign Minister stated that Bangladesh has taken on a monumental responsibility by sheltering over one million Rohingya Muslims. He stressed that finding a permanent and equitable solution to the Rohingya crisis remains a shared objective for both nations.
Reflecting on his firsthand inspection of operations run by the Turkish Ministry of Health, TİKA, the Turkish Red Crescent, the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation, and other organizations in Cox's Bazar, Fidan added: "We met with our healthcare personnel working at the Turkey-Bangladesh Humanitarian Assistance Hospital. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our staff for their dedication, sacrifice, and exemplary efforts in serving humanity under challenging conditions."
He concluded by reiterating that the bond between Turkey and Bangladesh represents a friendship that goes beyond common interests, pledging that this alliance will be further fortified in the future.
