Azerbaijan backs Somalia's territorial integrity at OIC meeting

Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Yalchin Rafiyev, participated in an emergency meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Somalia, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told local media.

The extraordinary session, held at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, aimed to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia against recognition of the “Somaliland” region as an independent state, and to discuss possible joint measures in this regard.

Speaking at the meeting, Rafiyev expressed Azerbaijan’s support for the sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

He emphasised that, as an active member of the OIC Contact Group on Somalia, Azerbaijan will continue to support the collective efforts of the international community, including OIC member states, on this matter.

Highlighting Azerbaijan’s commitment to the norms and principles of international law, Rafiev called on the international community to act responsibly and in accordance with international law to establish peace, stability, and security in various regions, including the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea basin.

Following the 22nd emergency meeting of OIC foreign ministers, member states adopted a resolution expressing unequivocal and firm support for Somalia and its territorial integrity.

By Khagan Isayev