By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
Somalia, 3 July 2026 – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi in Mogadishu on Friday to discuss migration and border security.
The meeting, held at Villa Somalia, focused on strengthening cooperation in migration management, institutional development and broader strategic relations between the two countries.
According to the Somali presidency, both sides discussed ways to expand cooperation on shared priorities, including security coordination and improving border governance.
President Mohamud said Somalia places high importance on its long-standing relationship with Italy, describing bilateral cooperation as an important pillar of efforts to strengthen state institutions, improve security and support development.
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Italy remains one of Somalia’s key international partners, with cooperation spanning governance, security sector support, migration management and development assistance.
Migration cooperation remains a key issue in Somalia-Italy relations, with at least 5,435 Somali migrants reaching Europe between January and August 2025, according to migration data. Around 1,575 of them arrived in Italy, as Rome continues efforts to curb irregular migration and strengthen border management cooperation with countries of origin and transit.
The talks come as Somalia continues efforts to improve border management systems and strengthen cooperation with international partners in addressing migration and security challenges.
Relations between Somalia and Italy remain rooted in longstanding historical ties, with both countries maintaining close diplomatic engagement on regional security and development issues.