On Sunday 10 May in Mogadishu, the European Union and the Federal Government of Somalia held their first Partnership Dialogue under the Samoa Agreement (see EUROPE 13293/19). In a joint statement, the partners reaffirmed their desire to deepen their cooperation around four priorities: the rule of law and democratisation, peace and security, migration and mobility, and economic development and investment.
Organised under the theme of ‘A Sustainable and Mutually Beneficial Partnership’, the meeting was held against a regional backdrop marked by insecurity, tensions in the Gulf and growing humanitarian needs in Somalia.
Discussions focused in particular on Somalia’s constitutional and electoral process, progress in the fight against the armed group Al-Shabaab and the gradual strengthening of the capacities of the Somali security forces. The EU has reaffirmed its commitment to the country’s stability, notably through its support for the African Union’s ‘AUSSOM’ mission and a €75 million contribution approved last April (see EUROPE 13855/22).
The two sides also stressed the importance of enhanced cooperation on migration, return and reintegration, while highlighting the prospects for economic development and investment.
The EU and Somalia have agreed to continue this political dialogue on a regular basis, with the next meeting scheduled for a year from now.
See the joint statement: https://aeur.eu/f/lwc (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)