Tarique Rahman Urges Türkiye to Step Up Support for Rohingya Repatriation
ANTALYA, Türkiye — Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on Türkiye to maintain its diplomatic and humanitarian support for resolving the Rohingya crisis and ensuring the safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of displaced Rohingya people sheltered in Bangladesh.
He made the appeal during a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Maxx Royal Hotel in Antalya on Tuesday evening, ahead of the opening of the World Leaders’ Summit held in connection with the UN Climate Change Conference COP31.
Hassan Shiplu, deputy press secretary to the prime minister, shared details of the meeting.
According to Shiplu, Rahman underscored the importance of Türkiye’s continued engagement at the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to advance efforts for a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis.
The prime minister also expressed Bangladesh’s appreciation for Türkiye’s continued solidarity at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the Rohingya humanitarian crisis and thanked Ankara for its assistance to displaced Rohingya communities on the ground.
The discussions covered a broad range of bilateral and international issues, including defence cooperation, trade, investment, energy security, mineral resources, climate change and the Rohingya repatriation process.
On defence ties, Rahman called for deeper and more diversified cooperation between the two countries, highlighting opportunities for joint investment. He also stressed the need for closer engagement to expand bilateral trade and investment.
Energy security and cooperation in mineral resources were also discussed. Rahman pointed to significant opportunities for Turkish investment in Bangladesh’s renewable energy sector.
Addressing climate challenges, the prime minister emphasised the need for stronger international cooperation and effective partnerships to support climate-vulnerable countries such as Bangladesh.
Rahman also congratulated Türkiye on hosting COP31 and expressed satisfaction with progress in areas of mutual cooperation.
At the beginning of the meeting, he recalled his previous talks with Erdoğan on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York last September.
Rahman arrived in Antalya at 4:03 p.m. local time on Tuesday for a three-day official visit to attend the COP31-related summit. His wife, Zubaida Rahman, is accompanying him.
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir were also present at the meeting.
