ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey on Monday brokered talks between Somalia and Ethiopia to ease diplomatic tensions between the East African neighbors, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.
Tensions between the two African countries have been rising since Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with the breakaway region of Somaliland in January, a deal Somalia has condemned as an infringement on the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The memorandum stipulated that Ethiopia would be given access to the sea through Somaliland and that in return Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent country.
Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Taye Atske Selassie and his Somali counterpart Ahmed Moallim Fiqi were able to “separately have a frank, cordial and progressive exchange” on their differences, according to a statement released by the ministry. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan facilitated the talks.
According to the Turkish ministry, a second round of talks is scheduled for September 2 in the Turkish capital Ankara.
“The Ministers of Somalia and Ethiopia reiterated their commitment to the peaceful resolution of differences and expressed their appreciation for (Turkey’s) facilitation and constructive contributions,” the statement said.
Somalia and Ethiopia had peaceful relations before Ethiopia’s memorandum with Somaliland in January.