– Gulf country praises Ankara’s efforts, role of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in bringing about agreement

ISTANBUL (AA) – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) released a statement Thursday welcoming a Türkiye-mediated pact between Somalia and Ethiopia to end their differences.

This significant step would strengthen communication and dialogue, contributing to stability and constructive cooperation in the Horn of Africa, the Gulf country’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The statement praised Türkiye efforts and the role of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in bringing about the agreement.

“The discussions represent an important step toward promoting regional and international development and peace in a way that will benefit the two countries and their peoples, serve shared interests, and ensure greater prosperity and development,” it said.

The UAE also reaffirmed its close and distinguished relations with Somalia and Ethiopia.

The statement also reiterated the UAE’s commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region and emphasized the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means.

After meeting with President Erdogan in the capital Ankara on Wednesday, the leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia in a joint statement called the Ankara Declaration “reaffirmed their respect and commitment to one another’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity,” according to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.

“They agreed, within a spirit of friendship and mutual respect, to forgo and leave behind differences and contentious issues and forge ahead in a cooperative manner to pursue shared prosperity.”

In 1991, Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia, resulting in the formation of two separate nations, but Ethiopia lost direct access to the Red Sea and key ports.

Somalia and Ethiopia have been at odds since Ethiopia struck a deal this January with Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland to use its Red Sea port of Berbera. Türkiye has been working to resolve these tensions.