Staff Correspondent: Bangladesh and Türkiye yesterday agreed to deepen strategic cooperation, expand trade and investment ties and explore a free trade arrangement as the two countries seek to elevate their longstanding bilateral relationship to a new strategic level.The commitments were made during a bilateral meeting between Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at a city hotel. "We emphasized that the visit comes at a significant moment of Bangladesh- Türkiye relations and demonstrates the shared commitment of both countries to deepening cooperation and elevating the bilateral partnership to new heights at a strategic level," Dr Rahman said at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart here yesterday.Welcoming the visiting Turkish foreign minister, Dr Rahman said the discussions were held in a spirit of friendship, mutual respect and understanding, reflecting the longstanding partnership between the two countries.Referring to the government's foreign policy priorities, Dr Khalilur Rahman said the administration led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman remains committed to safeguarding Bangladesh's sovereignty, national interests and the welfare of its people while pursuing constructive relations with friendly nations."Foreign policy of our government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is guided by the philosophy of 'Bangladesh Before All'. This principle reflects our resolute commitment to safeguarding Bangladesh's independence, sovereignty, national interests and the welfare of our people. At the same time, it reflects our belief that beyond our borders we have friends and partners, not masters," he said.The two sides agreed that the visit marks an important milestone in bilateral relations and opens new opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, development and regional affairs, while a major focus of the talks was economic cooperation and trade expansion.Dr Rahman said Bangladesh and Türkiye discussed the possibility of signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to further boost bilateral trade and investment.Bilateral trade has been growing steadily and both countries are now working to increase trade volume to US$2 billion from the current level of around US$1.3 billion, he noted.The foreign minister invited Turkish investors to take advantage of Bangladesh's investment-friendly environment and opportunities available in the country's economic zones and special economic zones.He proposed the establishment of a dedicated Turkish Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bangladesh and sought expanded engagement by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in investment, trade and industrial partnerships.According to Dr Khalilur Rahman, Bangladesh has identified several promising sectors for Turkish investment, including textiles and apparel, defence manufacturing, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, renewable energy, information and communication technology (ICT), and smart technologies.He also proposed the establishment of an international-standard hospital and nursing institute in Dhaka with Turkish cooperation and requested increased scholarship opportunities for Bangladeshi students pursuing higher education in Türkiye.Noting that around 3,000 Bangladeshis currently reside in Türkiye, most of them students, he called for easier visa procedures to facilitate tourism, education, cultural exchanges, business interactions and investment-related travel.On the Rohingya issue, the foreign minister reiterated Bangladesh's position that the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar with full citizenship rights remains the only viable solution to the crisis.He thanked Türkiye for its continued humanitarian assistance and diplomatic support for the Rohingya people and said the visiting Turkish delegation would visit Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar later in the day to gain first-hand knowledge of the situation.Dr Khalilur Rahman expressed confidence that Hakan Fidan's visit would further deepen cooperation, collaboration and mutual understanding between the two countries and help unlock new opportunities for partnership across multiple sectors.He expressed Bangladesh's appreciation to Türkiye for sending election observers during the parliamentary election in February this year and for dispatching Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the new government.The foreign minister also thanked the Turkish government and Hakan Fidan personally for supporting Bangladesh's successful candidature for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).