Bangladesh a rising star in South Asia: Turkish FM
GBNEWS24 DESK//
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday lauded Bangladesh’s progress saying that the country has become a rising star in South Asia and sustainable development model for the entire world under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He made the remarks at a joint briefing with his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen at state guesthouse Padma after their bilateral talks, reports UNB.
The Turkish Foreign Minister said the Rohingya issue has become a huge burden for Bangladesh and assured Dhaka of Ankara’s continuous support to resolve the crisis.
He said the Rohingyas must return to their homeland in a safe, voluntary and dignified manner.
The Turkish Foreign Minister supported the efforts of Bangladesh government to give Rohingyas better living conditions by relocating them to Bhasan Char until the repatriation takes place.
He suggested the government of Bangladesh to work closely with the United Nations and its agencies in this regard.
Responding to a UNB question on burden sharing by the international community, the Turkish Foreign Minister said he sees the same problem here and the international community praises Bangladesh for their hospitality.
The Turkish Foreign Minister sought stronger support from the international community in terms of burden sharing not just appreciative words but concrete steps.
“But we don’t want to see only words,” he said emphasising visible action in terms of burden sharing.
On Rohingya relocation to Bhasan Char, the Turkish Foreign Minister said this is also in line with their proposal that they can build much better camps for the refugees.
But Turkey’s firm position is that the Rohingyas should be able to go back to their home. “Until they return, they deserve better living conditions.”
Earlier, Bangladesh and Turkish foreign ministers discussed bilateral and regional issues, including Rohingya situation, as the two countries are keen to open a new chapter in their relations with an emphasis on stronger trade and investment relations.
The two Foreign Ministers met briefly at the same venue prior to the bilateral meeting.
Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu arrived here on Tuesday night.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen received Mevlut Cavusoglu at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan was also present.
The Turkish Foreign Minister started the day visiting Bangabandhu Memorial Museum on Wednesday morning where he paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Cavusoglu had a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before his meeting with Dr Momen.
Both the ministers will join the formal inauguration of the new Chancery Complex of the Turkish Embassy in Baridhara on the same day in the afternoon.
The Turkish Foreign Minister is scheduled to leave Dhaka after that by a private jet.
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