Somali President attends ceremony marking implementation of Turkey-Somalia defense agreement
Source: Hiiraan Online, Wednesday April 24, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accompanied by ministers and the Turkish Ambassador, participated in a ceremony aboard Türkiye’s domestically produced TCG Kınalıada Corvette, which docked at Mogadishu Port on Tuesday in honour of Türkiye’s National Sovereignty and Children’s Day.
President Mohamud highlighted the strategic partnership between Türkiye and Somalia, focusing on humanitarian aid, security, defense, and economic development.
He emphasized the historical significance of the warship’s visit to Somalia’s territorial waters, stating it symbolized the enduring fraternal relations between the two nations and marked a new era for Somalia’s maritime security.
He remarked, “The government of our brothers in Turkey, with whom this agreement is made, is a country and people we know, who have shown us support many times. It is a friendly and brotherly country in which we can trust this important cooperation for the defense of our nationalism and territorial unity.”
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated Türkiye’s unwavering support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He emphasized the deep historical ties between the two nations, stating on his X (formerly Twitter), “The historical relations between our two countries now point to a unity of destiny.”
President Mohamud thanked Türkiye for its support in safeguarding Somalia’s territorial waters under the recently signed Defense and Economic Cooperation agreement.
Days ago, the Director General of the Somali Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mohamed Hashi Abdi’ Arabey, confirmed that Turkey will begin drilling oil off the country’s massive coastline from next year.
Somalia signed a new oil and gas deal with Turkey in early March, which officials said would aid cooperation in the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons.