*Qatar will continue to be a key supporter of Somalia: FM
Doha on Sunday hosted the Ministerial Meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Somalia as part of efforts to ensure the political stability and development of the north African country.
The meeting chaired by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani was attended by OIC Undersecretary for Political Affairs Yousef al-Dobeay and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of the Federal Republic of Somalia Ahmed Isse Awad along with representatives of various member states of OIC.
The meeting laid stress on the need to continue the support to Somalia to overcome the present challenges and extend necessary assistance to its development plans to be implemented.
“Qatar will continue to be a key supporter of Somalia and will take every possible effort to provide support to attain stability, security and development. Qatar has made a provision of aid for the Somali government’s development plans that are to be implemented in partnership with the United Nations and the World Bank,” HE Sheikh Mohamed said while delivering the opening statement at the meeting.
Yousef al-Dobeay, who was all praise for Qatar's continuing efforts to ensure and mobilise support for Somalia said the north African country is in need of more coordinated international support for its development.
While reviewing efforts and activities, he said the OIC Contact Group on Somalia is committed to continue its support to the strife-torn country and the organisation has played an important role over the past 50 years in helping Somalia attain development.
The OIC Undersecretary for Political Affairs noted that Somalia has witnessed many positive developments on the security and political levels in recent time. "The federal government of Somalia needs support to usher in a new era of development, stability and security,” he said reiterating that OIC will support efforts to consolidate democracy in Somalia and the ongoing preparations for the gradual handover of security from African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) to the Somali national forces.
He also called for assistance from member states and the international community to bring together Somalis and offered support to the country to face the threats and challenges.
Somalian foreign minister Ahmed Isse Awad thanked Qatar for its support and hosting the meeting and said Somali people pin high hopes on this meeting. “The process of building Somalia is witnessing a tangible progress where political stability, security improvement and economic achievements have been materialised. Somalia now has a national advisory council for economic development that comprises international economists. The council has significantly contributed to the development of solid economic policies, increasing income and covering the expenses of large sectors. This helps Somali government to move forward and overcome the fourth stage and negotiations in debt relief in preparation for new promising investment partnerships,” he said.
The minister who cited that security is a priority for the government said ISIS and Al Shabaab have been posing threat to Somalia. "The government gives priority to restructuring and modernisation of the security sector. We are still liberating important and strategic regions."
He sought assistance and solidarity from the international community and asked it to support Somalia's development and stand with Somalia in protecting its territory and resources.
