Somalia and Türkiye Strengthen Diplomatic Cooperation in Mogadishu
Mogadishu, The Gulf Observer: Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi met with Mesut Ozcan, the director of the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, in the capital Mogadishu late on Monday. The meeting focused on enhancing cooperation in critical areas of diplomatic training and expanding the knowledge base for diplomats.
In a statement issued by the Somali Foreign Ministry following the meeting, it was noted that discussions delved into fortifying the relationship between the Turkish academy and the Somali Diplomatic Institute. The aim is to elevate the partnership and foster a robust exchange of experiences and best practices.
Minister Fiqi expressed profound gratitude to Türkiye for its steadfast support to Somalia. According to the ministry’s statement, Ankara has trained more than 80 Somali diplomats over the past 15 years. The close friendship between Somalia and Türkiye developed significantly in 2011 after Turkish President (then Prime Minister) Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid a historic visit to Somalia – the first non-African leader to do so in over 20 years.
Türkiye’s engagement in Somalia is underpinned by a principle of “win-win” relations. Since 2011, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) has carried out more than 150 development aid projects in Somalia. Türkiye also maintains its largest embassy in Africa in Mogadishu and has built its largest overseas military facility there to train the Somali National Army.
The strengthening of diplomatic ties and cooperative efforts between Somalia and Türkiye continues to be a cornerstone of their relationship, promising further collaborative achievements in the future.
