By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
Turkey, 17 April 2026 – Somalia and Turkey agreed to strengthen energy and trade cooperation during talks in Istanbul Thursday between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish presidency said.
The meeting took place last night at the Dolmabahce Presidential Office, where discussions focused on enhancing bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues.
President Erdogan said Ankara will continue efforts to advance relations with Somalia, particularly in trade and energy, noting that the launch of operations by Türkiye’s drilling vessel Cagri Bey off Somalia’s coast represents a symbol of deepening cooperation.
Türkiye also reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stating it will continue backing efforts to resolve regional disputes, particularly those involving Somalia and Ethiopia.
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The meeting was attended by Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, National Intelligence Organization chief Ibrahim Kalin, Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, and senior advisers on foreign policy and security.
On the Somali side, Minister of Ports and Marine Transport Abdulqadir Mohamed Nur and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Balcad were also present.
Relations between Somalia and Türkiye have grown significantly in recent years, with Ankara playing a key role in infrastructure development, security support, and public service delivery in Somalia.
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