Ethiopia and Somalia have commenced technical discussions on the Ankara Declaration, aimed at promoting peace and cooperation. These talks are fueled by previous diplomatic engagements and are expected to address Ethiopia’s access to the sea while respecting Somalia’s sovereignty. Leaders from both nations reaffirm their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and ensuring regional stability.
Ethiopia and Somalia have initiated technical discussions regarding the implementation of the Ankara Declaration, with the first round of meetings conducted in Ankara, Türkiye. Somalia’s Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Daud Aweis, announced on X on February 17, 2025, his arrival in Ankara to participate in the delegation that seeks to determine methods for implementing the declaration. He reaffirmed Somalia’s dedication to fostering peace and strengthening diplomatic relations based on mutual respect.
These negotiations are the result of a prior meeting held on February 6, 2025, between Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timotheos, and Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Burhanettin Duran. Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the parties discussed the technical aspects of the Ankara Declaration. Gedion Timotheos conveyed Ethiopia’s commitment to the agreement’s full execution and expressed gratitude to Türkiye for facilitating this trilateral initiative.
The Ankara Declaration, ratified by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, emphasizes mutual respect for sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity. It acknowledges the benefits of Ethiopian access to the sea while also stressing Somalia’s territorial integrity. The agreement encourages both nations to move past historical differences and contentious issues.
The declaration details a four-month period designated for technical negotiations focused on Ethiopia’s access to the sea. Both nations have committed to jointly working to finalize commercially beneficial arrangements while respecting Somalia’s sovereignty. This diplomatic engagement follows previous tensions that arose in early 2024 when Ethiopia entered a memorandum with Somaliland, which Somalia perceived as infringing its territorial rights.
Following the Ankara Declaration, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia made an official visit to Ethiopia on January 11, 2025. During this visit, he and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recommitted to restoring full diplomatic relations and agreed to boost bilateral cooperation through enhanced diplomatic representation. They underscored the importance of regional stability as a core area of cooperation.
In conclusion, the technical discussions between Ethiopia and Somalia on the Ankara Declaration represent a significant step towards improved diplomatic relations and regional cooperation. Both nations are focused on overcoming historical tensions while committing to the principles of mutual respect and territorial integrity. The outcomes of these negotiations could have profound implications for the economic and geopolitical landscape of the region.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
