Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has described Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as his “valued brother” and expressed his country's willingness to deepen cooperation with Bangladesh, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has said.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, Humaiun shared details of Tarique Rahman's recent visit to Turkey and his bilateral meeting with Erdoğan.
Quoting the Turkish president, the state minister said: “You are my valued brother. As a leader of 180 million Bangladeshis, I want to work closely with you. Whatever I can do in my capacity and whatever Turkey can do, I will do for Bangladesh. Just let me know what needs to be done.”
Humaiun also said discussions on Turkish investment in Bangladesh's proposed defence industry had advanced significantly.
He said Bangladesh was considering establishing a defence industrial complex to manufacture military equipment, with Turkey's investment in the initiative now under discussion.
The state minister described Tarique's meeting with Erdoğan as one of the most significant bilateral meetings the Turkish president held with a select number of world leaders during the event.
Responding to a journalist's question about the British foreign secretary sitting with his legs raised during a meeting with Tarique Rahman, Humaiun Kobir dismissed suggestions that the posture was disrespectful.
He said the British minister had recently taken up his position and that such a sitting posture was common in British culture and did not signify disrespect.
Humayun also said discussions surrounding the incident were an attempt to divert attention from the main achievements of the conference.