Turkey puts spaceport plans in Somalia on the agenda

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan shared new developments regarding the cooperation process between the two countries during a joint press conference with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. In his statement following the meeting with his Somali counterpart, Erdoğan said that Turkey is continuing its preparations for drilling operations to be launched in Somalia in 2026 and that the security environment in the region has improved significantly.

In his remarks to the press, Erdoğan pointed out that investments in the energy sector would make a positive contribution to the living standards of the Somali people, stating, "Despite various acts of sabotage by those who do not want to see Somalia get back on its feet, a significant improvement in security has been achieved in Somalia."

Furthermore, Erdoğan announced that two new deep-sea drilling ships added to Turkey's fleet have been commissioned under the names "Çağrıbey" and "Yıldırım," emphasizing that the capacity in the energy sector will be increased.

The President announced that a spaceport project in Somalia is also envisioned within the scope of the new agreements signed between the two countries. Erdoğan stated that this initiative would not only support technology and research cooperation between the two countries but also Somalia's long-term development goals. He highlighted the importance of the project with the words, "Within the framework of the agreements we have signed, we plan to establish a spaceport in Somalia."

Regarding international politics, President Erdoğan opposed Israel's decision to officially recognize Somaliland, clearly rejecting this move with the words "illegitimate and unacceptable."

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in his speech at the meeting, drew attention to the ongoing threats to national borders and sovereign rights. Mohamud said, "In this period when Somalia is facing threats regarding its territorial integrity and sovereignty, we have felt the support of Turkey and the Turkish nation."

The Somali leader also described Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's rhetoric regarding Somalia's sovereignty as "aggressive" and emphasized that they absolutely do not accept this approach.

News Source: 12punto