Joint Stetement Between the Somali Prime Minister and Turkish Prime Minister
The Prime Ministers of Somalia and Turkey met in Ankara Turkey on Thursday, 26th September 2013. Present at the meeting were senior cabinet members from both countries and His Excellency Bekir Bozbag, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey.
His Excellence Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon extended his Government’s sincere gratitude and appreciation in the brotherly and selfless support that the government and the people of Turkey provided to the people of Somalia in their hour of need. As a result Somalia and Turkey have developed special relationship and a bond. His Excellency Abdi Farah Shirdon said “This relationship is vital for the recovery and stability of Somalia and the political and economic cooperation between the two countries”.
The Prime Ministers acknowledged the tremendous progress made by the Somali Government since the visit of the Turkish Prime Minister in August 2011. The Somalia Prime Minister stated that Somalia still faces many challenges in particular the continuing threat posed by Alshabab as demonstrated by their cowardly attack on Turkey embassy on 27 July 2013 and most recently the tragic attack terrorist attack at Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya. Both Prime Ministers conveyed their sincere condolences to the Kenyan Government and people as well as the families who have lost loved ones in the cowardly attack at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya. His Excellence Abdi Farah Shirdon conveyed to His Excellence Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the Turkish Embassy attack was not only an attack on innocent civil servants but it was also an attack on the Somali people with the intention of interrupting the brotherly development support by the government and the people of Turkey to Somalia.
His Excellence Abdi Farah Shirdon underlined that Turkey government’s support for Somalia is far reaching and diverse. Investment in education such as the scholarships to hundreds of students and the building of schools; Investment in Healthcare such as Digfare Hospital and other healthcare facilities; investment in Infrastructures and public services such as roads and sanitation services are example of Turkey’s commitment to Somalia. “ Our developmental programs have contributed significantly in restoring hope, improved security, created jobs, and set Somalia on the path to recovery and reconstruction” said His Excellence Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
His Excellence Abdi Farah Shirdon welcomed continued assistance in the areas of Technical assistance and institutions building, education and healthcare, agriculture and water management, infrastructure and rendering of public service, improving security and the justice system, and regional and developmental programs. His Excellence Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his government’s strong commitment to Somalia and welcomed closer bilateral agreements and cooperation between the two sisterly countries.
His Excellence Abdi Farah Shirdon thanked His Excellence Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the people of Turkey for their warm welcome and generosity and said he looks forward to His Excellences next visit to Somalia.
Ridwaan Haji Abdiwali, Government spokesman, Federal Government of Somalia