Mogadishu, SONNA — Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Ahmed Moalim Fiqi received in his office a high-level Norwegian delegation led by Mr. Einar Rystad, Norway’s Envoy to Somalia, for discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and addressing pressing regional and global priorities.
During the meeting, the foreign Minister underscored Somalia’s steadfast commitment to fostering peace, stability, and development across the Horn of Africa. He highlighted recent milestones in Somalia’s constitutional reforms and democratization process, including parliamentary approval of the National Election and Boundaries Commission, which marks a significant step toward institutionalizing democratic governance. The Norwegian delegation lauded these achievements, praising Somalia’s resilience and dedication to state-building amidst challenges.
The dialogue also centered on Somalia’s strategic vision for the post-ATMIS era as the country prepares to assume full responsibility for its national security. Minister Fiqi elaborated on ongoing initiatives to professionalize Somali security forces and sustain counter-terrorism efforts, emphasizing the importance of international partnerships in supporting these goals.
Somalia’s staunch opposition to the illegal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also raised, through which Ethiopia seeks to annex Somali territories. Minister Fiqi reaffirmed Somalia’s unequivocal commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling on the international community to uphold principles of the country’s sovereignty and international law.
This engagement reflects the evolving partnership between Somalia and Norway, grounded in mutual interests and shared values, and underscores their collective determination to address regional challenges and advance sustainable peace and stability.
