Bangladesh and Türkiye have discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, with a focus on solar energy, exploration and development of mineral resources, LNG transportation and related infrastructure, and pipeline connectivity between Bangladesh's offshore and island facilities and the mainland.

The issues were discussed at a recent meeting between Türkiye's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Bangladesh Ambassador to Türkiye M. Amanul Haq at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources in Ankara, according to the Bangladesh Embassy.

The two sides explored potential areas of practical cooperation in the energy and mineral resources sectors and discussed opportunities to further strengthen bilateral collaboration.

During the meeting, Ambassador Haq handed over an invitation letter from Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, inviting Minister Bayraktar to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient early date.

Bayraktar warmly accepted the invitation and expressed his intention to visit Bangladesh by the end of this year to further explore opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector.

The Turkish Minister also instructed his officials to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for signing at the next possible opportunity, the Bangladesh Embassy said.

Ambassador Haq also handed over a proposed draft MoU between Bangladesh's Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and Türkiye's Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, aimed at establishing a framework for enhanced bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.

The meeting was attended from the Bangladesh side by Deputy Chief of Mission Dr Shahanoor Alam and Commercial Counsellor Akram Hossain of the Bangladesh Embassy in Ankara.

Senior officials from Türkiye's Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, including the director general responsible for international affairs and cooperation and Adviser to the Minister Hamit Can Baş, also attended the meeting.

The meeting reflected the two countries' shared interest in strengthening bilateral relations and developing practical and mutually beneficial cooperation in the energy sector.