Tuesday, January 08, 2013

Somalia Foreign Minister Meets With British Foreign Secretary

Government of Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)

Somalia: Foreign Ministers in London

4 January 2013

On Thursday, Somalia's Foreign Minister Fowzia Yusuf Adam met with UK's Foreign Secretary, William Hague.

It was Minister's first visit to the UK in her new role. Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Hague, said Somalia had made tangible progress in recent months, both politically, following the end of the transitional period, and in improving security, with Al-Shabaab pushed out of major towns. It was, he said, critical that this momentum continued. Somalia's Foreign Minister outlined the Somali government's plans to tackle the challenges ahead including improving security, increasing access to justice, transparent financial management, political reconciliation and economic development.

Also on Thursday, Somaliland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Omar met with the UK Minister of Africa, Mark Simmonds, at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Dr. Omar briefed Mr. Simmonds on Somaliland's recent local elections, and thanked the Minister for the assistance the UK is providing to Somaliland, its help with the security sector, and its support for the elections.

Dr. Omar said Somaliland was ready to resume talks with Somalia now that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had established his new government in Mogadishu. Mr. Simmonds confirmed Britain's commitment to support Somaliland development and democratic achievements and said the UK would be happy to facilitate dialogue between Somaliland and Somalia when the two sides are ready to resume talks.

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