Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aati met on Sunday with Somali counterpart Abdisalam Abdi Ali to discuss ways to boost relations and coordinate positions on African issues of mutual interest.
As the meeting started, Abdel-Aati welcomed the growing momentum in Egyptian-Somali relations and the shared commitment to expanding co-operation across economic, development and investment sectors, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tamim Khallaf said.
He stressed the importance of further boosting the strategic partnership between the two countries, particularly in security, trade, infrastructure, electricity, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural and food industries.
Abdel-Aati reaffirmed Egypt’s full support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, as well as its national institutions. He reiterated Egypt’s firm rejection of any unilateral measures that undermine Somalia’s sovereignty or territorial unity.
The minister also condemned what he described as the illegal and unacceptable move by the self-declared Somaliland region to open a purported embassy in occupied Jerusalem, calling it a flagrant violation of international law.
In a related context, Abdel-Aati urged continued efforts to secure the swift release of the kidnapped Egyptian sailors and ensure their safety. He also called on the Somali authorities to remain fully engaged in resolving the crisis and securing the release of the Egyptian nationals.
The foreign minister reiterated Egypt’s commitment to supporting Somalia’s state-building efforts and promoting its institutional capacity to enhance security and stability, particularly in addressing terrorism and extremism.
He highlighted the importance of doubling the benefits of training programmes offered by Egyptian national institutions, the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development, and the Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding.
The aim is to strengthen Somali national capacities and support long-term stability and security. He also stressed the need for closer regional and international co-ordination to combat terrorism and extremism and eliminate their root causes.
Abdel-Aati reasserted Egypt’s support for international efforts aimed at promoting security, stability and development in Somalia. He underscored the importance of working with international partners to secure adequate and sustainable funding for the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), enabling it to effectively fulfil its mandate.
For his part, Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali praised Egypt’s continued political, development and security support for Somalia. He expressed appreciation for Cairo’s steadfast backing of Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to maintaining close co-ordination and consultations with Egypt on issues of mutual interest.
