Brussels, 31/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - The international conference for a “New Deal” with Somalia, which will be hosted in Brussels on 16 September of this year, aims to work towards a mutual commitment in favour of key priorities and new support for the reconstruction of the country over the next three years, the European Union and the federal government of Somalia, which will be co-chairing the event, announced on Wednesday 31 July.
“The situation in Somalia has been transformed over the past year. There is now a real atmosphere of activity, emerging governance and hope. It is therefore more important than ever that the international community makes good on its promises of support for the Somali people. This joint event, co-hosted by Somalia and the EU, will establish the 'New Deal Compact' as the foundation of the international community and Somalia's mutual commitment to a three-year plan that can deliver peace, security and development to all Somali people”, Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said in a joint press release published on Wednesday.
Hassan Shikh Mohamud, the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, added: “Baroness Ashton and I will convene the New Deal for Somalia Conference in Brussels, and present the international community the key political, security and development priorities for Somalia guided by the New Deal principles for fragile states agreed in Busan in 2011. All Somalis must seize this opportunity to galvanise international support to aid recovery. We have this one chance to ensure that over the next three years we build on the momentum of progress and remove any threat of a return to anarchy and conflict. I hope the world will attend to pledge their support to secure this fast emerging success story”. A few days ahead of the summer break, EU foreign affairs ministers discussed this subject on 23 July (see EUROPE 10893). (AN/transl.fl)