President Silanyo Returns Home after Turkey Visit –(Video)
Hargeisa, Oct 11, 2013 (SDN)- President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo returned on Thursday from Turkey during which he held bilateral talks with Turkish officials on various issues including investment. During his seven-day visit to Istanbul, president Silanyo discussed various issues of bilateral importance, including increasing of trade between the two countries and establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
President Silanyo was warmly received at Egal International Airport in Hargeisa by vice president Zaylici, cabinet ministers, lawmakers and hundreds of Hargeisa residents. President Silanyo has told to the reporters that his Turkey trip was successful.
“We visited Turkey and had discussions with Turkish officials regarding our [Somaliland] national interests,” said President Silanyo, who returned to Hargeisa since departing on October 1, 2013.
President Silanyo also said that Somaliland and Turkey agreed to enhance diplomatic ties by opening offices in Hargeisa and in Istanbul.
President also said that Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ, accompanied by a delegation of investors and businessmen, is planning to visit Somaliland in November in an effort to boost relations with Somaliland. President Silanyo’s delegation included foreign minister Mohamed Bihi Yonis, minister of commerce Dr. Mohamed Abdilahi Omer and the first lady Amina Weris.
Presdient Silanyo first visited Turkey in mid-March to have talks with Turkish officials, including Davutoğlu, who pledged to increase aid effort to Somaliland.
On April 13, 2013, the Turkish government hosted Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and, and representatives of the two parties signed the Ankara Agreement, which called for continued dialogue between the Somali federal government and Somaliland government. Meanwhile the next round of proximity talks between the leaders of Somalia and Somaliland, mediated by the Turkish government, will be held in early November in Turkey.
SDN Hargeisa