Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Thursday for a three-day official visit, marking the first visit by a Turkish foreign minister to Bangladesh in nearly six years.
Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Fidan will visit Bangladesh from June 4 to 6 as part of a broader regional tour. During his stay, he is expected to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and hold bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman.
Diplomatic sources said the discussions will focus on a range of issues, including defense cooperation, regional security, trade, and investment. Fidan is also expected to meet political leaders and senior government policymakers, with regional and international developments likely to feature prominently in the talks.
According to sources familiar with the visit, Türkiye is keen to expand cooperation with Bangladesh in the defense sector, while Dhaka is looking to further strengthen bilateral ties with Ankara. During a visit to Dhaka by Turkish Trade Minister Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat under the interim government, a proposal was floated to establish a defense industrial zone in Bangladesh, which is expected to come up during the upcoming discussions.
As part of his itinerary, the Turkish foreign minister may also visit Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, where he is expected to inspect a Turkish-built field hospital and review its operations.
Earlier in April, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman visited Türkiye at the invitation of Hakan Fidan. The visit was aimed at seeking support for Bangladesh’s campaign for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
