By HAN News Desk
Ankara – Somalia’s Minister of Ports, Abdulqadir Mohamed Nur, delivered a speech in Turkish at a ceremony organized by the Turkish presidency marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between Somalia and Turkey.
In his remarks, Minister Nur first offered condolences to the family and people of Turkey following the death of a Turkish F-16 pilot in a crash in Balıkesir on Monday, asking God to accept the pilot’s service.
He expressed gratitude to the Turkish Directorate of Communications for hosting the event, which celebrates the long-standing ties between the two nations.
“Although we celebrate 60 years of modern diplomatic relations today, we all recognize that the relationship between Turkey and Somalia is far deeper, rooted in a long and historic friendship,” Nur said.
He highlighted that Somali-Turkish ties extend beyond six decades, reflecting 600 years of brotherhood and mutual support, with Turkey historically serving as a steadfast ally during Somalia’s most challenging periods.
After Somalia declared independence on July 1, 1960, Turkey was among the first countries to recognize the Somali Republic, Nur noted.
During the Cold War, diplomatic engagement between the two nations continued but remained formal and limited in scope. Despite this, he emphasized, “Our historic bond has never weakened, even when international circumstances were constrained by distance and limited resources.”
Nur’s speech underlined the enduring strategic and historic partnership between Somalia and Turkey, recognizing Turkey’s support during difficult times and its role in Somalia’s journey as an independent nation.
