Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)
26 November 2011
Mogadishu — High level delegation from Turkey heading by the deputy Turkish Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag has on Saturday arrived in the lawless capital, Mogadishu for talks with senior officials in the war and famine stricken Horn of Africa nation.
The delegation from Turkey was cordially welcomed at the Adden Adde international airport in Mogadishu by the prime minister of Somalia Transitional federal government Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and members his cabinet ministers.
Turkey has been in the forefront in the international effort to assist Somalia following the drought and the resultant famine that struck the south of the war-ravaged country early this year.
The Turkish delegation held talk with senior Somali officials including Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and members of his cabinet.
Security in the Somali capital was tightened ahead of the Turkish delegation’s arrival. Thousands of police and military personnel were stationed along key roads in the city.
Turkish deputy premier Bozdag told reporters that the Turkish government and people were committed to helping Somalia in its fight to overcome the famine and drought that hit the country.
Turkish Prime Minister Reccep Ordogan made an historic visit to Somalia’s capital in August and pledged strong support for the country.
Turkey has since started to implement a number of humanitarian and developmental projects in Mogadishu.
The Turkish deputy prime minister laid the foundation for a new terminal at Mogadishu’s international airport to be funded by Turkey, which also pledged to build schools, hospitals and roads in Mogadishu.
Bozdag inaugurated The Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu, the first since the collapse of the country’s central government in 1991. Several other countries mostly in Africa have reopened their embassies in the capital city which is witnessing an improvement in its security.
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali thanked Turkey for its support for his country. ‘Turkey has supported Somalia at a critical time when devastating famine was raging in the country,’ he said.
The Somali premier asked Turkey to help fund other projects involving infrastructure, reconciliation and the drafting of a new constitution for the country.
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