Bangladesh to host fourth foreign office consultation with Turkey on 7 October
The third FOC was held on 20 May 2019 in Ankara, led by then Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Önal and Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque
Dhaka is set to host the fourth Bangladesh-Turkey Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) on 7 October 2025, with both countries aiming to elevate bilateral relations to new heights, officials in Dhaka and Ankara said.
The meeting will be led by the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, Asad Alam Siam and Deputy Minister and Ambassador of Turkey, A Berris Ekinci, representing their respective governments.
The consultation will address a broad range of multilateral and regional issues, including the Middle East, the Gaza peace plan, political upheavals in South Asia, and other geopolitical concerns, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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Bilateral trade between the two countries currently stands at $1.1 billion, with Turkey increasing its investment in Bangladesh in recent years. Officials noted that closer collaboration with Turkish companies could expand Bangladeshi exports to the European Union and neighbouring markets, helping diversify export destinations.
Bangladesh exported goods worth $74 million to Turkey during July-August 2025-26, compared to $635 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to the Export Promotion Bureau.
The consultation is also expected to cover the Rohingya issue, student exchanges, and broader trade, economic, and defence cooperation between the two OIC countries. This follows a series of high-level visits, including Turkish officials' humanitarian missions to Rohingya camps in Bangladesh in 2017.
The third FOC was held on 20 May 2019 in Ankara, led by then Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Önal and Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque.
Since August 5, 2024, both countries have been exploring opportunities to fully realise the potential of their bilateral relationship.
Bangladesh and Turkey have a long-standing diplomatic history, with recognition dating back to 22 February 1974, the opening of embassies in 1976 and 1981, and collaborative participation in OIC summits and ministerial meetings over the decades.
The upcoming consultation underscores continued commitment on both sides to deepen strategic, economic, and humanitarian cooperation in a rapidly changing regional and global environment.
