Turkey assured Bangladesh of helping pressurize Myanmar for safe and dignified repatriation of displaced Rohingyas, who fled from a military crackdown in Rakhine state.

The assurance came while Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim called on President Md Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban in Dhaka on Tuesday evening, reports the UNB.

During the meeting, visiting Turkish Prime Minister lauded the role of Bangladesh on Rohingya issue and said his government has already started working on the issue with a plan to end the crisis as early as possible.

President Hamid expressed his gratitude to Turkey for providing heartfelt support to the issue of Rohingyas, who took shelter in Bangladesh territory in recent time.

Mentioning about existing excellent, friendly and bilateral relations between the two countries, he hoped the relation would continue in future.

The President Hamid also thanked the Turkish President and its people for the recent arrangement of a time-befitting Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul on Jerusalem issue.

He sought support and cooperation of the Turkey to elect Bangladeshi candidate to the post of OIC assistant secretary general for science and technology affairs.

Terming the bilateral relation between Turkey and Bangladesh as a very good one, Turkish Prime Minister,  who arrived here Monday night on a two-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,  emphasized on joint initiatives to utilize the potentials of the two friendly countries for enhancing trade and commerce.

During his 36-minute discussion, he said Turkish investors are keen to invest in Bangladesh in different sectors especially in readymade garments (RMG).

Referring to formation of the ‘Parliamentary Friendship Group’ to strengthen the ties between the parliament and people of the two countries, Turkish Prime Minister hoped that the relation would reach a new height in days to come.

State minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam, Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque and secretaries concerned to Bangabhaban, senior civil and military officials were also present during the meeting.