Ethiopia and Somalia have started negotiations to implement the Ankara Declaration in Ankara, Türkiye. The discussions follow a prior meeting between their foreign ministers, focusing on fostering diplomatic and cooperative relations. The declaration emphasizes respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and potential benefits of sea access for Ethiopia, while addressing tensions arising from Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland.
Ethiopia and Somalia have initiated technical discussions to implement the Ankara Declaration, beginning in Ankara, Türkiye. Daud Aweis, Somalia’s Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, remarked via X on February 17, 2025, that he was in Ankara as part of a delegation focused on exploring the declaration’s implementation. Aweis reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to enhancing peace and cooperation through mutual respect.
The negotiations stemmed from a meeting on February 6, 2025, between Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timotheos, and Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Burhanettin Duran. The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Timotheos emphasized Ethiopia’s dedication to fully implementing the agreement while expressing gratitude to Türkiye for facilitating the tripartite collaboration.
The Ankara Declaration was signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia. This declaration underlines respect for each nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while recognizing the potential benefits of Ethiopia securing assured sea access, with an emphasis on respecting Somalia’s territorial rights.
The declaration includes a four-month period for technical discussions regarding Ethiopia’s sea access, with an agreement for both nations to collaborate on commercial arrangements within Somalia’s sovereign framework. The talks follow heightened tensions in 2024 when Ethiopia reached a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland, leasing coastal territory, which Somalia viewed as an infringement on its sovereignty.
Following the Ankara Declaration, President Mohamud of Somalia visited Ethiopia on January 11, 2025. During this meeting, he and Prime Minister Abiy reaffirmed their intention to restore complete diplomatic relations, pledging to strengthen bilateral ties through comprehensive diplomatic representation and cooperation on mutual interests, particularly focusing on regional stability.
The commencement of technical discussions between Ethiopia and Somalia represents a significant step forward in implementing the Ankara Declaration. The agreement aims to foster diplomatic relations while addressing crucial issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Both nations express commitment towards mutual cooperation, emphasizing the importance of stakeholders in achieving a balanced and peaceful resolution regarding Ethiopia’s sea access.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
