Monday June 23, 2025
Istanbul (HOL) — Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation Abdisalam Abdi Ali met Sunday with his Azerbaijani
counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, on the sidelines of the 51st session of the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in
Istanbul.
The two diplomats reaffirmed their commitment to
strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across several key
sectors.
Both ministers expressed satisfaction with the growing
political partnership since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2019. They
highlighted Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s visit to Baku in February
2025 as a turning point that resulted in the signing of multiple bilateral
agreements.
Discussions included Azerbaijan’s scholarship program for
Somali students, seen as a step toward enhancing human capital development. The
ministers also explored potential reforms in governance inspired by
Azerbaijan’s ASAN Service model and agreed to advance agricultural
collaboration under a recent memorandum of understanding.
To support the implementation of signed agreements and
identify new areas of cooperation, the two sides agreed to establish a Joint
Intergovernmental Commission, with regular meetings to alternate between
Mogadishu and Baku.
The ministers also pledged closer cooperation in
multilateral platforms such as the OIC, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the
United Nations—focusing on shared goals of peace, development, and mutual
prosperity.