Erdoğan speaks at the Somalia and Ethiopia summit. The two countries reach an agreement in Ankara

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made important statements at a joint press conference held with the President of Somalia and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia.

Highlights from President Erdoğan's statements are as follows:

"WE HAVE TAKEN THE FIRST STEP TOWARD A NEW BEGINNING"

We have reached an important agreement, particularly in the Ankara process, which we initiated about 8 months ago. Thus, by overcoming certain grievances and misunderstandings together, we have taken the first step toward a new beginning based on peace and cooperation between Somalia and Ethiopia.

THE JOINT DECLARATION WILL FORM A SOLID FOUNDATION

The region where Somalia and Ethiopia are located is a geography that has experienced brilliant periods in history and made significant contributions to humanity, despite having suffered many injustices and witnessed serious conflicts in the past. The people of the region have always shown the wisdom to overcome difficulties. I believe that the joint declaration agreed upon a short while ago will form a solid foundation for cooperation, economic development, and prosperity in the region in the coming period, based on mutual respect.

WE WILL IMPLEMENT PROJECTS TOGETHER

This is also the duty and responsibility of statesmen toward future generations. The consensus we have announced here is the product of such a vision. From now on, we will decide on the steps we will take together and implement projects that will increase the peace and prosperity of the people of the region.

With these feelings and thoughts, I would like to thank them once again in your presence and wish that the process we have initiated will be auspicious."

Somali President Mohamud thanked Turkey and President Erdoğan for their efforts in resolving the dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia.

DECLARATION PUBLISHED BY THE DIRECTORATE OF COMMUNICATIONS

Following the consensus summit chaired by AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Ethiopia-Somalia joint declaration was published by the Presidential Directorate of Communications.

The declaration published after the consensus summit in Beştepe included the following statements: "The Ankara Declaration of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia, with the facilitation of the Republic of Türkiye. The President of the Republic of Türkiye, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, hosted the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Mr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, in Ankara on December 11, 2024.

The meeting, held in a friendly atmosphere, allowed for an open and constructive discussion. The leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia reaffirmed their respect for and commitment to each other's sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity, as well as the principles contained in international law, the United Nations Charter, and the Constitutive Act of the African Union.

The parties agreed, in a spirit of friendship and mutual respect, to abandon and leave behind differences of opinion and contentious issues and to move forward decisively in cooperation toward common prosperity.

Somalia recognizes the losses of Ethiopian soldiers in African Union operations.

The parties, while respecting the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, acknowledged the various potential benefits that could be derived from Ethiopia's secure access to and from the sea.

Furthermore, the parties agreed to work closely together to conclude mutually advantageous commercial arrangements through bilateral agreements, including contracts, leasing, and similar methods, that would allow the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to enjoy reliable, safe, and sustainable access to and from the sea under the sovereign authority of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

The parties decided to begin technical negotiations in good faith toward these goals and with the facilitation of Turkey by the end of February 2025 at the latest, and to conclude and sign them within four months.

The parties welcomed Turkey's support in the implementation of these commitments and pledged to resolve any differences of opinion regarding the interpretation and implementation of said commitments peacefully through dialogue and, when necessary, with Turkey's support.

The parties expressed their gratitude to the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for this initiative and his continued commitment to the process."

News Source: 12punto