Ethiopia and Somalia have begun technical talks in Ankara on implementing the Ankara Declaration, focusing on Ethiopia’s sea access. This follows prior discussions between their foreign ministers and aims to strengthen diplomatic ties. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to mutual respect and cooperation, especially after tensions surrounding Somalia’s territorial sovereignty and Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland.
Ethiopia and Somalia have commenced technical discussions regarding the implementation of the Ankara Declaration, initiating their first round of negotiations in Ankara, Türkiye. Somalia’s Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Daud Aweis, confirmed via X on February 17, 2025, his arrival in Ankara to participate in the talks aimed at exploring the means to put the Ankara Declaration into effect. He emphasized Somalia’s commitment to fostering peace, enhancing cooperation, and strengthening diplomatic relations based on mutual respect and understanding.
These negotiations were prompted by a prior meeting between Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timotheos, and Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Burhanettin Duran, held on February 6, 2025. Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed that the two officials discussed the technical aspects of the agreement, with Gedion reiterating Ethiopia’s dedication to fully implementing the provisions of the declaration and expressing gratitude to Türkiye for facilitating the agreement’s tripartite nature.
The Ankara Declaration, which saw the participation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, affirmed their mutual respect for each nation’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity. The agreement also acknowledged Ethiopia’s desire for assured access to maritime routes under Somalia’s territorial sovereignty while promoting unity and amicable relations amidst previous disputes.
Within the Ankara Declaration, a four-month timeframe has been set for the technical negotiations focusing on Ethiopia’s sea access. Both nations expressed their commitment to work collaboratively to establish mutually beneficial commercial arrangements under the framework of Somalia’s sovereignty.
This agreement follows heightened tensions in early 2024 when Ethiopia entered into a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland to lease a portion of coastline in exchange for recognizing its independence, a move that Somalia deemed an infringement upon its territorial rights. Following the Ankara Declaration, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud further traveled to Ethiopia on January 11, 2025, culminating in an agreement with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to restore full diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The technical discussions between Ethiopia and Somalia signify an essential step towards solidifying their diplomatic relationship and addressing contentious issues, particularly concerning maritime access and sovereignty. The Ankara Declaration establishes a framework for enhanced cooperation, aiming to foster mutual understanding and peace while addressing historical tensions. The commitment from both nations towards these negotiations bodes well for regional stability and cooperation.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
