Ankara, March 13, 2013 (Anadolu Agency) — Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu met with Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo in Ankara on Wednesday. The meeting, which was initially open to cameras, continued behind closed doors.
According to diplomatic sources, five ministers from the Somaliland delegation participated in the talks. Following the meeting, both delegations convened for a working lunch, during which projects carried out in Somaliland by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and various Turkish NGOs were discussed.
Foreign Minister Davutoğlu emphasized that Turkey will continue to expand its humanitarian and development efforts across all regions of Somalia, including Somaliland. He highlighted the historical ties between Turkey and Somaliland dating back to the Ottoman era, noting Somaliland’s special significance to Turkey.
Davutoğlu also reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to Somalia’s territorial integrity and reiterated continued support for national reconciliation, stability, prosperity, and development for the Somali people.