Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Ambassador Naci Koru attended the Brussels Conference on A New Deal for Somalia co-hosted by Somalia and the European Union on September 16, 2013.

Deputy Foreign Minister Koru in his speech, emphasized Turkey’s support and endorsement of the “Somali Compact” and welcomed the important role played by the European Union. He said that “The Compact will certainly constitute the roadmap in peace and state building process in Somalia, as well as a blueprint in institutional and federal matters.”

Pointing out the fragility of the security and political situation in Somalia Deputy Foreign Minister Koru underlined the urgency of rebuilding and restructuring Somalia’s security forces. He maintained that the regional and local governments and entities should be encouraged to increase their dialogue with the Somali government.

Deputy Foreign Minister Koru stated that reconciliation is another critical issue for peace and stability of Somalia and that the Somalia-Somaliland dialogue, which Turkey is hosting in Istanbul every three months, is moving in the right direction and is a source of great happiness for Turkey.

Deputy Foreign Minister Koru said that Turkey has provided 4.5 million US Dollars every month since June 2013 to the Federal Government of Somalia as a cash contribution to the budget and announced that Turkey will allocate an additional 13.5 million US Dollars to support the budget of the Somali Federal Government until the end of this year. Besides Turkey’s humanitarian aid and development assistance to Somalia, Deputy Foreign Minister Koru cited that Turkish Airlines is still the only western airline flying to Mogadishu and the construction of Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu will start before the end of this year and will be the biggest embassy in Turkey’s diplomatic service when it is finished.

“In line with our desire to see a secure, stable and prosperous Somalia, we will continue to assist and support this country. With the dedication of its people, Somalia will become the rising star of the Horn of Africa” said Deputy Foreign Minister Koru.

Remarks by Ambassador Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Brussels Conference on A New Deal for Somalia