Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have agreed to strengthen bilateral ties, with a focus on defence cooperation, trade, investment and energy security.

The two leaders held a bilateral meeting at the Maxx Royal Hotel in Antalya on Tuesday, ahead of the World Leaders' Summit of COP31, UNB reported.

Their discussions covered the Rohingya crisis, renewable energy, mineral resources, climate change and ways to expand economic cooperation between the two countries.

Tarique called for deeper defence ties, including joint investment, and urged Türkiye to explore greater investment opportunities in Bangladesh, particularly in renewable energy.

The Rohingya crisis also featured prominently in the talks. Tarique thanked Türkiye for its humanitarian assistance and continued support for the Rohingya cause at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

He urged Ankara to maintain its diplomatic support at the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), stressing that sustained international pressure was essential to ensuring the safe, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.

The prime minister also highlighted Bangladesh's vulnerability to climate change and called for stronger international cooperation to address its growing impacts.

The meeting lasted around 30 minutes. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir attended the talks.

Tarique arrived in Antalya on Tuesday for a three-day visit to attend the COP31 World Leaders' Summit on November 11-12 and hold bilateral discussions with international leaders.

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