File Photo/Somali Times
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a joint press conference with Somali President Hassan Sheikh and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the presidential palace.
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The joint meeting came after a separate meeting with the two leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia on Wednesday.
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President Erdoğan said, “As a result of the trust that Somalia and Ethiopia have in our country Turkey, we have reached an important stage, especially with the Ankara process that we started 8 months ago, we have taken a new step based on peace and cooperation between Somalia and Ethiopia.”
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“I heartily congratulate my dear brothers for reaching this historic and self-sacrificing compromise, and I thank them for their effective behavior,” Erdogan said.
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Continuing his speech, President Erdogan said, “I believe that the joint declaration we have just agreed on will create a solid foundation for cooperation, economic development and prosperity based on mutual respect in the coming period.
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Somali President Hassan Sheikh said, “Mr. President Erdogan, I thank you for your efforts. This will end the differences between us. We and Ethiopia are two countries with common interests. We thank Turkey for its efforts. Somalia is a true friend of Ethiopia in the future. “Peace and stability are the top priorities for us and our people. He said that they are ready to participate in the friendship between his country and Ethiopia.
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Hassan Sheikh also said, “Ethiopia and Somalia have a lot in common. What we disagree on is limited. The points we share are many. We will do our best and do everything we can. Our region needs cooperation. The Horn of Africa is a sensitive region. We have many opportunities for prosperity, and we will achieve this together. he said.”
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Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, who also attended the summit, said, “First of all, I would like to thank President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Somali people. As such, we are two countries with a long history, we are not neighbours, we share a language and culture, and my government and I have suffered a lot from the instability in the Horn of Africa region, and we need mutual development. Peace and growth are our common interests.
Abiy Ahmed continued: Ethiopia wants to have safe and reliable access to the sea and access to waterways. This will also benefit all our neighbours. Our economic growth, , and our good development will benefit the entire Horn of Africa region.
The key points of the Ankara Declaration include:
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to each other’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, in accordance with international law and the principles of the African Union.
Somalia affirmed Ethiopia’s need for reliable maritime access, agreeing to work on bilateral trade plans that would enable Ethiopia to have secure maritime access while respecting Somalia’s sovereignty.
The countries pledged to.
Commence technical negotiations by the end of February 2025.
Complete and sign comprehensive agreements within four months.
Somalia clearly recognized the sacrifices of Ethiopian soldiers serving in the African Union Mission, which is an important gesture of mutual respect.