PM's Türkiye visit to feature several bilateral meetings; talks with Erdogan highly likely

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman may hold a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his visit to Türkiye, Foreign Secretary Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury said on Monday (9 November) at a press conference at the foreign ministry.

The press conference was organised ahead of the prime minister's participation in the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-31). Foreign ministry spokesperson Shahidul Karim was present.

The foreign secretary said bilateral meetings have been confirmed with the prime minister of Australia, the vice-president of China and the president of Uzbekistan during the Türkiye visit.

He added that a meeting with the Turkish president is also highly likely. Meetings are also scheduled with the British foreign minister and the administrator of the UNDP.

Asked whether military and economic issues, especially a drone factory and military cooperation, would be discussed during the visit, the foreign secretary said these were part of military cooperation.

However, he said nothing specific had been finalised yet about a drone factory in Bogura or any particular economic zone, and those matters would be decided later.

Asked whether cooperation from the Turkish company Celebi in ground handling at Dhaka airport would be discussed, the foreign secretary said this was not a single bilateral visit but a sideline meeting of an international conference.

So rather than any specific or major commercial deal, overall bilateral cooperation might be discussed, he said.

The press conference was told that the prime minister would leave for Türkiye on Tuesday (10 November) and deliver his speech at COP on 12 November.

The prime minister will attend the high-level conference of world leaders to be held in Antalya, Türkiye, on 11-12 November.