Turkish premier arrives in Bangladesh

By Mutasim Billah

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim arrived in Dhaka on Monday for a two-day official visit to see the plight of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who have fled Myanmar.

A Turkish aircraft carrying the premier and members of his entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Yildirim will pay homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War of Bangladesh by placing a wreath at the National Martyrs' Memorial at Savar on Tuesday.

He will pay his respects to the country’s founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, by placing a floral wreath at his portrait at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the city.

Then the Turkish premier will inaugurate a cancer unit at Shaheed Suheawardy Medical College Hospital at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital.

After that he will meet Prime Minister Hasina where they are expected to discuss the Rohingya issue in detail as well as issues on bilateral trade and investment.

The Turkish premier will visit Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar where thousands of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals have been taking shelter following violence in Rakhine state since Aug. 25.

He is also expected to meet senior government officials to discuss the efforts being undertaken to improve conditions for the significant influx of refugees into Bangladesh.

Yildirim is scheduled to leave Dhaka for Turkey on Wednesday.