HARGEISA – Somaliland’s Foreign Minister Saad Ali Shire, met with senior diplomats from Russia’s consulate in Djibouti on Thursday.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is the first time in 38 years that a Russian diplomat has set foot in Somaliland.
Below is a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
The Foreign Minister met with the Deputy Consular of Russia Yury Kourchakov who is based in Djibouti. This was the first time a Russian diplomat set foot in Somaliland for over 38 years. This occasion was a meet and greet for the Consular to meet the Foreign Minister, and to discuss enhancing ties between the two states.
The Foreign Minister explained the struggle Somaliland faced and with virtually no help, Somaliland has earned the label of “emerging democracy” . Somaliland is a remarkable success story that cannot be denied while its neighbor Somalia is unstable. Foreign Minister said ” TheRepublic of Somaliland should get the international recognition it deserves not only because it is right, but because it is in the best interests of the World for the sake of stability and peace in the region.”
The Representative of Somaliland in Djibouti traveled along with the Deputy Consular of Russia to Somaliland and met prior to this meeting they both had a fruitful discussion. The Representative of Somaliland went on to say “I hope you will see the peace and stability Somaliland enjoys while we travel to Berbera and historical places of Somaliland.”
The Russian Diplomat thanked the Foreign Minister for their warm reception and hopes to revisit Somaliland. The Republic of Somaliland and Russia hope to increase its cooperation to strengthen the economic ties that will be beneficial for both countries.
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