Somali president departs Azerbaijan after official visit

The official visit of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to Azerbaijan has come to a close.

An honour guard paid tribute to the distinguished guest at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, where the national flags of both nations flew side by side, Caliber.Az reports referring to local media.

At the airport, the Somali President was seen off by Azerbaijan's First Deputy Prime Minister, Yagub Eyyubov, Deputy Foreign Minister, Elnur Mammadov, and other senior officials.

To recall, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s official visit to Azerbaijan saw a series of productive meetings and key bilateral discussions. Mohamud was warmly welcomed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on February 12. The two leaders held joint press conferences and signed a number of important agreements.

As part of the visit, President Mohamud toured the Sangachal oil terminal, a pivotal site in Azerbaijan’s oil and gas industry. The terminal’s strategic importance, both for Azerbaijan and the wider region, was highlighted during the tour, which also provided a detailed look at Azerbaijan's rich oil history.

On February 13, President Mohamud, accompanied by Somali Defence Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, visited an Azerbaijani Army commando unit. There, they were joined by Azerbaijani Defence Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov and Defence Industry Minister Vugar Mustafayev. The delegation witnessed the latest advancements in defence technology, including a state-of-the-art simulator developed by the Ministry of Defence Industry.

The visit further strengthened the ties between Somalia and Azerbaijan, reflecting growing cooperation in both defence and energy sectors.

By Aghakazim Guliyev