FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia is truly proud to have welcomed H.E. President Recep Tayyip

Erdoğan of the brotherly nation of Turkey to Somalia today. Indeed, his visit is further evidence of the Turkish Government and People’s commitment to Somalia.

H.E. President Erdogan and his delegation were welcomed by the entire leadership of the Somali Government including H.E. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the Speaker of Parliament, H.E. Mohamed Osman Jawari and the Prime Minister, H.E. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke . In addition, the people of Somalia who hold him and his Government in high esteem, welcomed him joyfully.

Somalia and Turkey enjoy strong bilateral ties and traditional bonds of friendship. This is further enhanced by the opening of the largest Turkish Embassy in the world by H.E. President Erdogan and the Maternity and Children Hospital of the Yardımeli Association by the Somali Prime Minister H.E. Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke and H.E. Veysi Kaynak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey.

Furthermore, the signing of crucial and enabling Agreements between our two sides in diverse fields will further strengthen our two nation’s bilateral relations.

Somalia views Turkey as a strategic partner and ally in its progress towards stability and prosperity both in Somalia and the wider region. We therefore are determined to work even more closely to bring these objectives to fruition for the benefit of the Peoples of Somalia, Turkey and the wider region.

----------------END-----------------