Moscow, Russia – SONNA – The Speaker of the Upper House of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Mr. Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, currently leading a delegation in the Russian capital, today participated in the 591st plenary session of the Federal Assembly, Russia’s Upper House of Parliament. His attendance signals Somalia’s concerted effort to strengthen bilateral and parliamentary ties with the Russian Federation.
Addressing the esteemed assembly, Speaker Abdullahi delivered a speech that emphasized the importance of reinforcing relations between the two parliaments and countries. He briefly recounted the historical connections between Somalia and the former Soviet Union, laying a foundation for discussions on how to revitalize and enhance these long-standing bonds. The Speaker articulated Somalia’s firm commitment to fostering effective and productive relations with the Russian Government. To facilitate deeper engagement and mutual learning, he proposed the exchange of friendship committees between the two legislative bodies, allowing for shared experiences in parliamentary work and legislative processes.
A significant point of gratitude conveyed by Speaker Abdullahi was the Russian Government’s decision to forgive hundreds of millions of dollars in debt owed by Somalia. He highlighted this gesture as a powerful demonstration of Russia’s friendly stance and its dedication to contributing to Somalia’s ongoing development efforts. This debt relief is a crucial factor in Somalia’s broader economic recovery and stabilization plans, freeing up resources for essential national priorities.
Concluding his address, Speaker Abdullahi extended his sincere appreciation to Ms. Valentina Matviyenko, the Chairwoman of the Federation Council, for the valuable invitation to attend the session. He expressed that it was an honor to stand before the Federal Assembly, viewing the engagement as a positive and meaningful step that could lead to direct and robust cooperative relations between the parliaments of Somalia and Russia. This high-level parliamentary interaction is seen as a key component in re-establishing and broadening diplomatic and political channels between the two nations.
