Türkiye hosts first round of technical talks between Somalia and Ethiopia PHOTO

Türkiye recently hosted the inaugural round of technical negotiations between Somalia and Ethiopia as part of the Ankara Process.

The discussions were facilitated by Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and attended by delegations led by Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Dr. Gedion Timothewos and Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Mohamed Omar, Caliber.Az reports referring to foreign media.

During the talks, both delegations emphasized their commitment to the principles outlined in the Ankara Declaration.

The two sides took the first steps toward translating their shared vision into tangible actions aimed at fostering sustainable and mutually beneficial development. Both parties expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s unwavering support in facilitating dialogue and setting the stage for the next round of technical negotiations, which is scheduled for March 2025.

The negotiations stemmed from the Ankara Declaration, which was adopted on December 11, 2024, under the leadership of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

 According to the declaration, Ethiopia and Somalia agreed to launch technical negotiations by the end of February 2025, with the goal of completing them within four months. Both parties also committed to setting aside differences and contentious issues to focus on moving decisively toward common prosperity.

The two countries reaffirmed their respect for Somalia's territorial integrity, while also recognizing the potential benefits Ethiopia could derive from secure access to the sea. This round of discussions is seen as a crucial step in advancing bilateral relations and fostering long-term stability in the Horn of Africa.

By Tamilla Hasanova