Egyptian Overseas Minister Badr Abdelatty acknowledged on Monday that the Purple Sea ought to solely be accessible to nations bordering it and that no different events ought to be permitted entry. The assertion was made throughout a press convention in Cairo alongside his Somali counterpart, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi.
Throughout the press convention with Fiqi, Abdelatty additionally reaffirmed Egypt’s dedication to respecting Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He acknowledged that discussions included Egypt’s assist for extending the Somali authorities’s authority and sovereignty over all of its nationwide territory. Moreover, he pressured Egypt’s rejection of any unilateral actions or impositions that would compromise Somalia’s unity, security and sovereignty.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Abdelatty famous that the Somali Overseas Minister’s go to to Egypt highlighted the historic connections between the 2 international locations and their folks. He added that each President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud have directed efforts to reinforce the connection between the 2 nations throughout numerous sectors.
Fiqi, talking on the similar press convention, acknowledged that Egypt performs a big position within the ongoing means of constructing the Somali state. Fiqi additionally expressed gratitude to Egypt for its current assist, which he mentioned was essential in safeguarding Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “We exchanged views concerning unprecedented regional challenges,” Fiqi mentioned.
Fiqi additionally pressured that Egypt’s place was instrumental within the signing of the Ankara Declaration, which goals to ensure Somalia’s unity and sovereignty. He additional emphasised Somalia’s dedication to all earlier agreements signed with Egypt.
Bilateral Discussions
Minister Fiqi acknowledged that Monday’s bilateral talks have been intensive, involving each delegations. Discussions lined the bilateral relationship and alternatives for its development in political, commerce, financial, army, safety, and academic sectors. The ministers additionally addressed the state of affairs within the Horn of Africa and numerous problems with mutual curiosity throughout the African continent and the Arab world.
Fiqi additionally famous that either side had agreed to work in the direction of elevating their relationship to a strategic partnership, befitting the historic ties between the 2 international locations. This partnership will embrace political consultations through reciprocal visits between the management of each nations and between the overseas ministers and senior officers.
Egyptian-Somali Financial Discussion board
Abdelatty introduced that he and Fiqi had agreed to carry an Egyptian-Somali Financial Discussion board in Cairo in the course of the second half of January 2025. He acknowledged this is able to play a vital half in creating financial and commerce relations between the 2 international locations.
“We additionally agreed to determine a platform for interplay and dialogue between the Egyptian and Somali personal sectors to additional stimulate these relations,” Abdelatty mentioned. That is meant to make sure that these connections will not be restricted to governmental interactions however embrace private-sector participation from firms in each Egypt and Somalia.
The Egyptian Overseas Minister additionally confirmed that either side had agreed to raise their relationship to the extent of a strategic partnership, particularly within the fields of schooling and tradition. He added that the Egyptian President has directed the rise of scholarships supplied to Somali college students by each Al-Azhar College and the Ministry of Larger Schooling. This will probably be expedited as a part of the cooperation throughout the strategic partnership between the 2 international locations.
Strategic Partnership and Regional Safety
Abdelatty and Fiqi held bilateral talks in Cairo on Monday. The assembly reviewed their total bilateral relationship and addressed key regional and worldwide problems with mutual curiosity.
The 2 ministers agreed on the significance of elevating the connection to a strategic partnership, which is able to contain consecutive dialogue periods targeted on particular strategic areas. These areas embrace the political, financial, commerce, safety, army, cultural, academic and capacity-building sectors. Abdelatty affirmed Egypt’s assist for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity throughout the framework of worldwide regulation. He additional highlighted the Ankara Declaration issued on December 11, which affirmed these ideas to strengthen Somalia’s stability, unity, and safety.
Each side pressured the significance of expediting the formation of the brand new African Union Mission for Assist and Stability in Somalia (AUSSOM). They urged the African Union’s companions to supply the mandatory and sustainable funding for the brand new mission, given the unrest within the Horn of Africa and the Purple Sea’s impact on worldwide commerce and navigation. That is additionally to assist the efforts of the Somali Nationwide Military in combating terrorism and defending the nation’s assets. Fiqi reiterated Somalia’s aspirations for efficient Egyptian participation within the new mission, citing Egypt’s superior army capabilities, its experience in combating terrorism, and its expertise in supporting the event of state establishments. He additionally highlighted current bilateral army cooperation beneath a protocol signed in August 2024.
The 2 sides additionally reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation in areas together with diplomatic, army, and well being coaching, in addition to supporting Somalia’s capability in legislative issues. In addition they emphasised the significance of enhancing commerce relations between the 2 international locations and dealing in the direction of the success of the Egyptian-Somali Enterprise Discussion board deliberate for Cairo.
Supply: Each day Information Egypt
