Tuesday August 6, 2024
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, right, speaks during a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, left, at Tahrir Palace in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. AP
Mogadishu (HOL) — Turkey and Egypt, during high-level talks in Cairo, have reaffirmed their unified commitment to upholding Somalia's territorial integrity, emphasizing the critical importance of safeguarding its sovereignty amidst ongoing regional disputes. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, emphasized their stance at a press conference following their discussions.
"We firmly reject any actions that undermine Somalia's unity and territorial integrity," Abdelatty said. Fidan echoed these sentiments, highlighting that both nations are committed to protecting Somalia's borders, as Turkish news agency Anadolu reported.
Somalia's government expressed its gratitude for Egypt's unwavering support. A statement from the Somali news agency SONNA conveyed, "The Somali Foreign Minister thanks the Egyptian government for its unparalleled support and clear stance on Somalia's freedom and territorial integrity."
The affirmation of support comes amid a dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia, which began earlier this year after Ethiopia signed an agreement to lease a 20-kilometre coastal area from Somaliland, a move Somalia views as a violation of its sovereignty. Despite mediation attempts by the African Union and IGAD, effective resolutions have yet to be reached.
In June, Turkey initiated mediation efforts by hosting delegations from Somalia and Ethiopia in Ankara. The meeting led to an agreement to hold further talks in Turkey in September. The international community has praised Turkey's mediation efforts, with Fidan visiting Addis Ababa to discuss the upcoming negotiations.
Turkey's involvement in Somalia dates back ten years to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's historic visit to Mogadishu. This visit highlighted Somalia's humanitarian crisis and marked the beginning of a deepening relationship between the two nations. As trade relations expanded, numerous companies emerged to facilitate the delivery of Turkish goods to Somalia.
Earlier this year, Turkey and Somalia advanced their bilateral cooperation with the signing of a defense and economic agreement. In July, Somalia's Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy granted Turkish companies the rights to drill and extract oil from three designated blocks. Turkey's energy minister confirmed that exploration will begin in the coming weeks, accompanied by a naval escort.
On Monday, in Mogadishu, Somalia's Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi met with Mesut Ozcan, director of the Diplomatic Academy of Türkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting focused on enhancing cooperation in diplomatic training and expanding the knowledge base for Somali diplomats. According to a statement from the Somali Foreign Ministry, the discussions also aimed at strengthening the relationship between the Turkish academy and the Somali Diplomatic Institute.