ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Ethiopia and Somalia have made “significant progress” in an attempt to resolve a dispute This is the result of the deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland, the Turkish Foreign Minister said on Tuesday.
Hakan Fidan made these comments at the end of a second round of talks between the foreign ministers of Somalia and Ethiopia, mediated by Turkey.
“I am pleased to report that the number and scope of issues we discussed have increased significantly compared to the first round. We were able to focus on the details and technical aspects of concrete steps,” Fidan said in a video message recorded at his ministry. “We believe that a joint and constructive solution is within reach.”
Together with his colleagues from Ethiopia and Somalia, Fidan added that a third round of talks would take place on September 17.
Tensions between the two African countries have since increased Ethiopia has signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland in January, which Somalia condemned as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Under the controversial deal, Somaliland would lease a 20-kilometer (12-mile) stretch of land along its coastline to Ethiopia to establish a naval base. With a population estimated at more than 120 million, Ethiopia is the world’s most populous landlocked country.
In return, Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland’s independence. Somalia has said it is prepared to go to war over it, as it considers Somaliland part of its territory.
Fidan, who has been meeting with his Ethiopian counterpart Taye Atske Selassie and Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi since Monday, did not provide details of the talks.
Last week, however, he told reporters that he had proposed a settlement that would guarantee Ethiopian access to the sea through Somalia. In return, Ethiopia would recognize Somalia’s territorial integrity and political sovereignty, he said.
In the video, Selassie thanked Turkey for its mediation and reaffirmed Ethiopia’s desire to “guarantee reliable access to and from the sea.”
“We look forward to a continued engagement that will ultimately help us resolve the current differences and restore normal relations,” he said.
Fiqi said progress had been made in the latest round of talks and expressed hope that the momentum would lead to a solution.
“Somalia remains committed to protecting its sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity,” he said.
A first round of talks also took place in the Turkish capital in July.
Turkey has established close ties with Somalia and recently signed agreements to cooperation in defense and oil and gas exploration. It also has economic and trade ties with Ethiopia.
