Ethiopia and Somalia Initiate Technical Talks on Ankara Declaration

Ethiopia and Somalia have commenced technical talks to implement the Ankara Declaration in Ankara, Türkiye. The discussions aim to explore avenues for cooperation and reinforce diplomatic relations. The Ankara Declaration emphasizes mutual respect for sovereignty and seeks to finalize agreements regarding Ethiopia’s access to the coast, following previous tensions concerning territorial disputes with Somaliland.

Ethiopia and Somalia have initiated technical discussions regarding the implementation of the Ankara Declaration, with the inaugural round of talks occurring in Ankara, Türkiye. The discussions are aimed at establishing pathways to execute the declaration, as articulated by Somalia’s Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Daud Aweis, on February 17, 2025, on X. He emphasized Somalia’s commitment to nurturing peace and enhancing cooperation based on mutual understanding and respect.

These negotiations follow a vital 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 reported that both parties shared insights on the technical components of the agreement, with Gedion reaffirming Ethiopia’s dedication to implementing the deal and expressing gratitude to Türkiye for facilitating this collaborative framework.

The Ankara Declaration, which was signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, underscores mutual respect for each nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The agreement highlights the diverse benefits for Ethiopia concerning accessing maritime routes, while concurrently recognizing Somalia’s territorial sovereignty. The leaders agreed to set aside prior disputes and focus on cooperative efforts going forward.

This declaration also establishes a timeline of four months for technical negotiations regarding Ethiopia’s sea access. Both Ethiopia and Somalia have pledged to collaborate closely to finalize mutually beneficial commercial arrangements, all while respecting Somalia’s sovereign authority. The need for these negotiations arose following tensions that escalated in early 2024, linked to Ethiopia’s prior agreement with Somaliland regarding coastal leasing.

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also visited Ethiopia on January 11, 2025. During this visit, he and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed committed to restoring full diplomatic relations. A joint communiqué from their meeting highlighted their mutual dedication to enhancing diplomatic relations and ensuring strong cooperation on regional stability issues.

In summary, Ethiopia and Somalia are engaging in critical discussions to implement the Ankara Declaration, focusing on technical negotiations regarding Ethiopia’s access to the sea. This collaboration aims to foster peace and stable diplomatic relations, as both nations strive to set aside historical tensions and work towards mutual benefits. The initiative reflects a significant step toward enhanced cooperation and understanding in the region.

Original Source: addisstandard.com