Turkish FM: “Turkey has fulfilled all promises made to Somalia”

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu delivered a speech at a gathering of representatives of Somali civil society groups in Istanbul on Sunday, emphasizing that that resolving the conflict situation in Somalia was one of Turkey’s highest foreign policy priorities.

Underlining Turkey’s role in contributing to a stable economic and political environment in Somalia, Davutoglu said, “While the entire world was looking to Somalia from the outside and holding conferences in foreign capitals, Turkey has sent its most active civil society groups and aid organizations into Somalia, to be able to demonstrate that we share a common fate with Somalia.”

Davutoglu added that Turkey considered Somalia as neither an area of interest nor as a risk or security threat, but as a place where humanity’s conscience would be tested.

Stating that Turkey has fulfilled all promises made to Somalia, Davutoglu recalled several visits to the country by both himself and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in order to improve their contribution to the nation’s peace.

Turkey has sent approximately $365 million in cash and in-kind aid to Somalia over the past year.

Monday, May 28, 2012