Brussels, 01/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - Somalia's progress in moving towards democracy at the end of a transition period was welcomed by EU foreign ministers at their meeting in Brussels on Thursday 31 January, where they held a formal dinner attended by the Somalian president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud. They also welcomed the prospects of an international conference jointly chaired by Somalia's federal government and the EU in Brussels in the autumn to examine medium- and long-term needs and priorities for the country and its inhabitants (see EUROPE 10775).
“Over the past two years, we have seen that Somalia has come a long way. I pay tribute to the people of your country who have struggled hard and made great sacrifices to break out of the cycle of violence and instability”, said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton after the meeting, adding that Somalia was at a historic turning point and the conference in Brussels will try to establish a New Deal for Somalia and the international community in terms of reconstruction, a new political era, promoting social and economic development, security and the rule of law, that she hoped would provide hope to the entire Horn of Africa.
In the conclusions document, the EU Foreign Affairs Council described the end of the transition period as a unique opportunity to turn the back on twenty year of war and expressed the EU's support for the government's priorities. The conference in the autumn will negotiate an agreement between Somalia and the international community on reconstruction of the country.
The EU also hailed the initiative by the United Kingdom to host an international conference shortly, jointly chaired by the Somalian government, to examine immediate priorities, boosting security throughout the country, justice, management of public funds and support for the current political process. (AN/transl.fl)