DHAKA, Feb 13, 2024 (BSS) - Ambassadors of Turkiye and Italy to Bangladesh today called on Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud separately at the foreign ministry here. 

During the meeting, the Turkish envoy Ramis Sen highlighted the features of the upcoming 3rd Antalya Diplomacy Forum, scheduled to be held from March 1-3 next.

The envoy expressed his expectation of the foreign minister's active participation in the event.

They also discussed the celebration of the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and Turkiye, said a foreign ministry press release. 

Besides, they talked about the war in Ukraine and Gaza, Rohingya repatriation, increasing legal immigration of Bangladeshi citizens in Turkey, prevention of illegal immigration. 

Expansion of trade between the two countries also took place in the meeting.

In a separate meeting with Hasan, the Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro expressed interest in taking more Bangladeshi citizens in Italy through the legal immigration process.
 
Terming relations with Bangladesh special, the Italian ambassador said that around 200,000 Bangladeshi expatriates are residing there and they are playing a positive role in the economy of both countries.

During the meeting, the foreign minister sought Italy's cooperation in the country's leather, automobile, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sectors.

Both the foreign minister and ambassador recalled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's bilateral visit to Italy in 2020 and the meeting with the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization conference in 2023.

In addition, Hasan proposed for boosting trade and investment between Bangladesh-Italy and the Italian envoy put emphasis on establishing a Joint Chamber and Commerce.