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2 June 2012

Turkey Vows to Continue Supporting Somalia

Turkish foreign minister has pledged continued support for Somalia, saying that peace and security of Somali people was of utmost importance for peace and security in Africa.

"Turkish Republic will continue to stand side by side with our Somali brothers with all means in its power. This is the pledge of Turkish people to the Somali people," Ahmet Davutoglu told a joint press conference with Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali after the closing of the second edition of the Istanbul Conference on Somalia.

Davutoglu said the Istanbul conference was held a time when Somalia passed through a very critical era as the country's transitional process drew close to an end.

Davutoglu said following Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Somalia last year, Turkey had initiated a comprehensive strategic action plan and made some important steps such as opening an embassy in Mogadishu and launching direct flights to the Somali capital.

Davutoglu said rebuilding Somalia was a multifaceted plan which included national reconciliation, setting up a new political system, re-planning an economic development program and restructuring Somali security forces.

Davutoglu said the Istanbul conference achieved to lay the foundations of a solid ground for political reconciliation in Somalia, adding that a new constitution, parliament and a new government should follow the transition process in the country.

Davutoglu said Somali forces should be restructured to maintain security and stability in every corner of the country, adding that the Istanbul conference saw the establishment of a new fund to reshape Somali security forces.