Only Somali formulas can solve Somalia’s problems, Erdoğan says

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

ternational arena.” C M Y B C M Y B 2FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012 II. ISTANBUL CONFERENCE ON SOMALIA Only Somali formulas can solve Somalia’s problems, Erdoğan says Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan praises the relations between Turkey and Somalia after meeting with Somali’s Abdiweli Mohamed Ali. ‘Turkey considers Somalia a strategic ally and will continue solidarity in the fields of economy, commerce, culture and politics with determination in the future,’ PM Erdoğan says ADVERTORIAL

Only methods devised by Somali can solve the problems in the county, according to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

“We support moves that would help maintain national consensus at all levels,” Erdoğan said at a joint press meeting with Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali on the evening of May 30 in Istanbul.
Turkey considers Somalia a strategic ally and will continue solidarity in the fields of economy, commerce, culture and politics with determination in the future, Erdoğan stressed.The country will have a new constitution, parliament and president after the elections on Aug 20, he said.

“It might seem that it is hard to take such big steps in politics in such a short period of time but there is no reason not to overcome this if the ones undertaking the transition process are determined. I have seen this determination in them and as a person who knows politics is the art of overcoming hardships I have witnessed that they can achieve this,” he said.

During the meeting Erdoğan said Mohamed Ali had emphasized the role of Turkey in the international community’s approach to Somalia before the press conference.

The international community will let the transition period neither end nor be delayed, he said.
The prime minister also noted that the Istanbul conference was being held during a crucial timing when the positive developments were seen in Somalia.

Long-term perspective

Prior to the conference, Somali opinion leaders, intellectuals, civil society and the representatives of the diaspora discussed the future of the country. “We believe that the problems of Somalia can only be solved with recipes prepared by our Somali friends,” he said.

Turkey will continue supporting peace, sustainability and welfare in Somalia in the international arena, he said.

On his part, Mohamed Ali said Somalia is Turkey’s strategic partner and believes to this relation 100
percent.

“We want to put relations from short-term to a long-term perspective” Somali prime minister said. Since Erdoğan’s visit last August, Somalia has changed much, Mohamed Ali said. “With the support of Turkey, I believe that Somalia will achieve its deserved place in the international arena.”