Addressing a joint press conference with Somali President Sheikh Mohamud, President Erdoğan emphasized the importance of Somalia’s stability and security for the whole of Africa, and said: “Our humanitarian and development aid to Somalia over the last decade totals more than a billion dollars. We are pleased to witness the significant progress Somalia has made in many areas, particularly in security and economy.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia held a joint press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Complex.
Expressing his happiness to host Somali President Sheikh Mohamud and his delegation in Ankara, President Erdoğan pointed out that Ankara conveyed the message that it stood with the Somalis by paying a visit to Somalia with a large delegation in 2011 when Mogadishu came to the brink of what the international community calls ‘collapse’.
Recalling the inauguration of the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu on the occasion of that visit in 2011, President Erdoğan said: “As you know, our largest embassy building in the world is located in Somalia. We built it on an 80,000 square meters area and we don’t have such an embassy building in any other country. We are proud of our embassy there. Afterwards, the Turkish Airlines brought to an end Somalia’s 20-year loneliness by launching direct flights. As you know, I paid three visits to Mogadishu in 2011, 2015 and 2016. The steps we took at that time with my treasured brother who was in office as the President between 2012 and 2017, have helped Somalia get back on its feet.”
“WE HAVE SUPPORTED SOMALIA IN EVERY AREA”
Stressing that Türkiye has been supporting Somalia since then in every area including healthcare, education, infrastructure and capacity building, President Erdoğan said: “Many Turkish agencies, first and foremost TİKA, Turkish Red Crescent and AFAD, have been continuing their works on the ground. Not only our official agencies but also a large number of Turkish NGOs stand with our Somali brothers and sisters with the aid they provide. The Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital as well as the Health Sciences Faculty heal the wounds of our brothers and sisters not only in Somalia but in the whole region. Our humanitarian and development aid to Somalia over the last decade totals more than a billion dollars. We are pleased to witness the significant progress Somalia has made in many areas, particularly in security and economy. I wish the elections, which brought about a second term in office as the President for my august brother, may be auspicious for Somalia and for our Somali brothers and sisters. I wish success to the new government which will take office under the leadership of my treasured brother in the period ahead. Türkiye, in the upcoming period as well, will continue to stand with its Somali brothers and sisters and be the voice of Somalia in the international arena.”
“WE STRIVE TO ENHANCE OUR COOPERATION WITH ALL OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN AFRICA”
Noting that his talks with his Somali counterpart Sheikh Mohamud addressed in depth the bilateral relations, President Erdoğan stated that an agreement was reached to enhance the cooperation in various areas and consolidate the contractual basis of the relations.
He and President Sheikh Mohamud are of the same opinion that steps to this end should be taken rapidly once the new government takes shape in Somalia, President Erdoğan stated, and went on to say: “Our trade volume increased by 31 percent to reach 363 million dollars last year. It must be remembered that we have reach this stage from the level of 2 million dollars back in 2003. During our talks, we also discussed regional issues and emphasized the importance of Somalia’s stability and security for the whole African horn. We have trained 5 thousand Somali soldiers so far. What is more, we have given training to a thousand special ops police. I here reiterate our determination as Türkiye to maintain our support to Somalia’s stability and security as well as its fight against terrorism.”
Describing Somalia as an embodiment of the importance Türkiye attaches to the economic development, stability and social peace in the African continent, President Erdoğan said: “As Türkiye we strive to enhance our cooperation with all of our brothers and sisters in Africa on a win-win and equal partnership basis. We are determined to boost our ties with the continent.”