Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday extended an invitation to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

The premier extended the invitation as Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan paid a courtesy call on him at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in the city’s Tejgaon area on Saturday afternoon, said a press release.

Tarique also thanked the Turkish foreign minister for undertaking the visit.

Fidan conveyed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s greetings to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

He said that his visit constituted the first step towards elevating Bangladesh-Turkiye relations to a strategic level.

In this regard, both sides agreed to hold Annual Foreign Office Consultations at the level of foreign ministers.

It was also decided that annual 2+2 consultations will be held involving foreign and defence minister’s of both sides.

In addition, with a view to further strengthening political, economic and strategic cooperation between the two countries, a consultation mechanism in the form of a committee would be established under the respective foreign ministers which will involve the concerned ministries of each side.

The meeting reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations. Discussions focused particularly on the Rohingya issue, climate change, trade and investment, joint production and cooperation, and regional and international matters of mutual interest.

From Bangladesh side, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, State Minister Shama Obaed Islam and Prime Minister’s Adviser for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir were present at the meeting.