UPDATES ON TALKS, ADDS BACKGROUND
By Muhammed Enes Calli
ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday met with his Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, according to the Turkish Presidency.
The closed-door meeting at Istanbul's Dolmabahce Palace included the attendance of Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler and Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir.
The presidents discussed the Israeli attacks on Palestinian territories, Türkiye's efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, and steps needed for a humanitarian cease-fire, according to Türkiye's Communications Directorate.
During the meeting, Erdogan stressed the importance of messages from Muslim countries in support of Palestinians.
Lasting peace and stability in the region can only be accomplished through unity, Erdogan said.
The meeting also addressed steps that can be taken in Turkish-Somali relations, counter-terrorism, and economic cooperation.
Türkiye, a close ally of Somalia, has invested in the Horn of Africa nation’s education, infrastructure, and health care.
Turkish humanitarian and technical development assistance to Somalia over the last decade has exceeded $1 billion, Erdogan said last year.
According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the countries' bilateral trade volume in 2022 was $363 million, up from $2 million in 2003, and there is $100 million in Turkish investments in Somali.
Turkey has its largest Embassy in Africa in Mogadishu and also built its largest overseas military facility there to train the Somali national army.