Somali President: Turkey is an important friend and strategic partner

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said his country considers Turkey an important and indispensable friend and strategic partner.
This came in a speech during a joint press conference with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the capital Ankara on Wednesday.
Sheikh Mahmoud expressed his gratitude for Turkey’s sincere support in various fields, especially in education, health, economy and defense institutions.
“I respect the generosity and efforts of the Turkish government and its people regarding the humanitarian situation facing the Somali people,” he said.
He added, “I want to thank Turkey for its support to Somalia in the fight against the Corona epidemic and now facing drought.”
Sheikh Mahmood emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between the two countries, noting that both sides attach importance to strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation, especially in the fields of security, economy, trade and culture.
Earlier on Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed his Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud at the presidential compound in the capital Ankara.
According to the official news website TRD Khabar, an official welcome ceremony took place in the courtyard of the compound, which featured the playing of the national anthems of both countries, followed by a military salute on the podium and the presence of the leaders of the two countries and their leaders. Delegates to others.
Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud has visited Turkey, his second foreign trip since his election in mid-May.
Before the official reception, the Somali president visited his country’s soldiers undergoing military training in Isparta, southwest Turkey.
In a tweet, Somali Defense Minister Abdelkader Mohamed Noor expressed his gratitude to Turkey, stressing that the “Somali army is the state’s biggest guarantee”.