ANKARA (Mareeg Online)—Mogadishu Mayor, Abdirahman Omar Osman on Tuesday held talks with his counterpart, Mustafa Tuna in Turkey’s capital Ankara.
The two leaders discussed on a wide range issues including strengthening the relations of the two cities, Turkey’s support to help Mogadishu in restructuring the local government and among others.
“I had a fruitful meeting with the mayor of Ankara, Mustafa Tuna and discussed our bilateral relations between Mogadishu and Ankara cities,” said Mayor Osman.
Mayor Osman urged Ankara Mayor to help Mogadishu local government, in the process to rebuild its institutions.
“I shared with the mayor our plans of which, we want Ankara to work on with us including the modernization the works and services of Mogadishu local government”, he said.
“During his stay in Ankara, Mogadishu mayor is scheduled to meet with several district commissioners in Turkey’s capital city”, according to Mr. Osman.
Turkey who started quite intense humanitarian assistance to Somalia in 2011, has implemented development projects to help Somalia in the rebuilding process.
In January, two countries appended their signatures on pact to boost their strategic economic partnership.
According the deal, the bilateral trade volume would rise to $200 million from $120 million in 2016. Turkey and Somalia also inked a Memorandum of Understanding on fishing and fisheries.
Late last year, Turkey opened its largest Military Academy abroad in Somalia. The facility which spans over, 4 KM square, has trained over 800 Somali soldiers, who are currently serving the country.
