Bangladesh, Turkey looking to a “brighter future” with wider collaboration: Envoy
Dhaka, Ankara eye stronger ties maintaining neutral position amid “geostrategic competition”
UNB, Dhaka
Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan has said Bangladesh and Turkey are looking to a brighter future with vast areas of cooperation and there is a room for the two countries to make their own influence for the betterment of international relations.
While delivering his keynote speech at Cosmos Dialogue held virtually, the Turkish envoy said they are actually collaborating with all the great powers that are pursuing certain policies but they have no attachment to any of the sides.
So, I think that provides us with a neutral position and a reliable partnership possibility with Bangladesh. And Im particularly pleased to see the benefits of this position in our defence cooperation, said Ambassador Turan.
Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group, hosted the dialogue titled Bangladesh-Turkey Relations: Prognosis for the Future as part of its ongoing Ambassadors Lecture Series.
The opening remarks were delivered by Cosmos Foundation Chairman Enayetullah Khan. The session was chaired by Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, a renowned scholar-diplomat and former Advisor on Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Caretaker Government.
Research Fellow and Head, Bangladesh Centre for Terrorism Research (BCTR) at Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) Shafqat Munir, Professor at Department of International Relations, Dhaka University Dr Lailufar Yasmin and Honorary Advisor Emeritus, Cosmos Foundation Ambassador (Retd) Tariq A Karim comprised the panel of discussants.
Ambassador Turan said one needs to go beyond symbolic gestures in international relations and the two countries really need to base relations on mutual interests.
The Ambassador said he thinks the government of Bangladesh is very happy to collaborate with them in this geostrategic competition over expanding the sphere of influence in this part of the world.
He said Turkey positions itself not on any of the sides of this equilibrium, rather just like Bangladesh, tries to pursue a middle path - not taking sides between the Indo-Pacific policy or Belt and Road initiative.
Ambassador Turan said Bangladeshs journey in the last 50 years has been remarkable in the sense that it has provided hope not just for the people in Bangladesh but also for its friends and partners.
Now, I think we can develop the partnership that is mutually beneficial in many fields, not just in the garments industry, but also in emerging sectors such as pharmaceuticals industry, health sector and ICT sector, he said, adding that obviously defense industry is prominent in the list.
Commending Ambassador Turans relentless endeavours in cementing the bilateral relations, Enayetullah Khan said the future of the relationship has never looked brighter than it does today.
With capable leadership and seasoned diplomats such as Ambassador Turan helming the ship, Khan said he truly believes this time they will not miss the opportunity.
Under current Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, relations between Dhaka and Ankara have grown stronger, Khan said.
He said it is well-known that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was inspired by the bravery and vision for a secular Muslim-majority country of the 20th century espoused by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkish state.
Highlighting Turkeys role over the Rohingya issue, Khan said it is President Erdogans strong and consistent stance on the Rohingya issue since it exploded onto the international stage in 2017, with nearly a million refugees crossing the border into Bangladesh to seek shelter here that Bangladeshis find most praiseworthy.
His leadership within the OIC, in which both countries play important roles, was instrumental in fellow member state, The Gambia moving the International Court of Justice in 2019, to bring charges of ethnic cleansing and genocide against the Myanmar army, in their treatment of the Rohingya, Khan said.
Deeply impressed by Ambassador Turans commitment and dedication to strengthen the relations, Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said he is sure Ambassador Turans contribution will take the bilateral relations to yet greater heights.
He said Turkey has inspired them in many ways and today, President Erdogan occupies a permanent niche in their hearts.
Dr Iftekhar said Bangladesh and Turkey have exceedingly high order of bilateral relations be it politics, economics, cultural linkages, common values, aspirations or shared ideas ideas both domestically, and in the wider arena of foreign relations.
Highlighting the importance of D-8 (Developing-8), the foreign affairs analyst stressed the immense potential of this grouping, if appropriately tapped at a personal level.
Shafqat Munir appreciated the role of Turkish Ambassador Turan in strengthening the ties between the two nations. Under his (Turans) leadership, the Embassy of Turkey in Bangladesh has done a tremendous job in taking Turkey Bangladesh relations to greater heights. Every day when we read about new strides being achieved in the relationship, its really very impressive.
TH
