Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh has urged Slovakia to recruit a significant number of Bangladeshi workers across various sectors, including the automotive industry, and to streamline its visa procedures for Bangladeshi nationals.
The appeal was made during a bilateral meeting between Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md. Mahfuz Alam with Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Juraj Blanár.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) 2025 in Antalya, Turkey, on Friday, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.
Both parties acknowledged the importance of strengthening bilateral relations, anchored in shared values, mutual respect, and common interests. They reiterated their commitment to deepening cooperation across various sectors.
Adviser Hossain underscored the need to enhance bilateral trade, investment, and economic collaboration. He emphasised Bangladesh’s potential as an emerging investment destination and proposed that Slovakia send a business delegation to explore commercial opportunities in the country.
He also recommended that Slovakia consider adopting the European Union’s ‘Talent Partnership’ framework as a means to facilitate the recruitment of skilled Bangladeshi workers across multiple industries.
Further discussions included enhancing collaboration at multilateral platforms and fostering institutional linkages to support long-term economic partnerships.
The Slovak Foreign Minister welcomed the proposals and expressed interest in strengthening business-to-business engagement.
He confirmed Slovakia’s willingness to send a business delegation to Bangladesh to assess investment prospects and foster deeper economic ties.
Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Turkey, alongside senior officials from both countries, was present at the meeting.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2025, a three-day event organised by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the patronage of President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, commenced under the theme “Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World.”
The forum aims to underline the vital role of diplomacy in addressing increasing geopolitical tensions and global fragmentation.
This year’s edition brought together over 20 heads of state and government, more than 50 foreign ministers, upwards of 70 ministers, and approximately 60 senior representatives from international organisations.
Over 4,000 participants, including policymakers, academics, business leaders, media representatives, civil society members, and students, attended the event.
