By M.A. Egge
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro held over the week a meeting at the Presidential Palace with the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic of Somaliland and Somalia, Ambassador Alper Aktas, and a delegation he led.
During the meeting, the President and the Ambassador’s delegation discussed many issues of mutual importance, which are related to strengthening cooperation between the two Republics of Somaliland and Turkey.
The Turkish Ambassador congratulated the President on his victory in the Presidential Elections, acknowledging the maturity of the democratic process that has been implemented in Somaliland and the civilized manner in which the people of Somaliland have taken over the national office, which the Ambassador described as rare in the Horn of Africa region; and noted that “the people of Somaliland who have been very resilient deserve to be congratulated on their success”.
The meeting focused on many important issues, including peacekeeping, economic cooperation, trade and investment, education, health, development of economic and vocational infrastructure, and cooperation in humanitarian affairs.
In conclusion, the Head of State told the Turkish Ambassador that the Republic of Somaliland is very interested in the Turkish Government having direct, good and multifaceted relations with the Republic of Somaliland.