Erdoğan, Somali president discuss energy, regional issues in Istanbul

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday at the Dolmabahçe Presidential Office in Istanbul, where they discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues. Erdoğan said Ankara will continue taking steps to advance relations with Somalia across multiple fields, particularly in trade and energy. He added that the start of operations by Türkiye’s drilling vessel Cagri Bey off Somalia’s coast represents a symbol of growing cooperation between the two countries.

Support for Somalia’s Sovereignty

Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying Ankara will continue to back efforts aimed at fully resolving disputes between Somalia and Ethiopia. The meeting was attended by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, National Intelligence Organisation head İbrahim Kalın, Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, chief foreign policy and security adviser Akif Çağatay Kılıç, and senior adviser Zafer Çubukçu.

Strategic Partnership

Türkiye and Somalia have deepened ties in recent years, with Ankara providing development aid, security cooperation and infrastructure projects. The deployment of the Cagri Bey drilling vessel marks a new phase in energy cooperation. The meeting also addressed regional stability in the Horn of Africa, where Türkiye has mediated between Somalia and Ethiopia. Both leaders expressed commitment to further strengthening their strategic partnership.