Monday June 5, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and German State Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Jochen Flasbarth, held a meeting in Mogadishu on Sunday, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between Somalia and Germany.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Barre expressed his sincere appreciation to Germany for its continuous support and outlined the Government's key priorities for the future. These priorities include job creation, infrastructure development, and improving access to education and healthcare.
Prime Minister Barre underscored the significance of ongoing international assistance in addressing Somalia's pressing humanitarian, environmental, and security challenges.
The State Minister lauded the Somali Government's commendable efforts in enhancing security, liberating significant territories from al Shabaab, and making substantial progress in the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) process.
Last year, the German Government contributed US$ 5 million to Somalia to improve the country's capacity to deliver life-saving vaccines to remote and hard-to-reach communities. The contribution was part of UNICEF's efforts with governments globally to take vaccines to the 'The Last Mile' - remote, rural, and peri-urban areas and populations displaced by droughts and conflicts.
Relations between Germany and Somalia have witnessed notable progress since 2012 as the country's political situation gradually improves. Germany actively participates in both civilian and military EU and UN missions and operations, underscoring its commitment to regional stability.
Moreover, Germany participates in civilian and military EU and UN missions and operations. In addition to seconding police officers to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), Germany takes part in the European Union's counter-piracy Operation Atalanta and contributes to the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia), which is intended to enhance Somali capabilities in the field of maritime security. The EU also has a military training mission in Somalia (EUTM SOM).
The meeting between Prime Minister Barre and State Minister Flasbarth signals a deepening partnership between Somalia and Germany, reinforcing their shared commitment to addressing critical socio-economic challenges and fostering mutual growth.