Somaliland: Leaders Meet With EU Envoy To Discuss Development
The European Union’s Representative to Somalia met with the leaders of Somaliland in Hargeisa to discuss economic development and political cooperation.
Below is an article published by All Africa:
The leader of Somaliland Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo hosted the European Union's Special Representative to Somalia Amb. Michele Cervone in Hargeisa on Tuesday [21 May 2013], Garowe Online reports.
After the meeting, Somaliland's foreign minister, Mr. Mohamed Abdullahi Omar, and Amb. Cervone held a joint press conference at State House in Hargeisa, capital of the separatist region.
"In general, we discussed continuing cooperation between Somaliland and the EU, and in particular about the 'New Deal' initiative that the EU will be using to assist countries in Africa and other parts of the world, for security, political, and economic development purposes," said Minister Omar.
Continuing, the Somaliland minister emphasized that the EU will be "working directly with Somaliland and basing EU assistance on Somaliland's National Priorities Plan".
Speaking at the joint press conference, Amb. Cervone said that the EU will continue to "provide assistance to Somaliland based on the Priorities Plan of Somaliland". As EU special envoy to Somalia, Amb. Cervone regularly travels to Mogadishu, Garowe and Hargeisa, for discussions with leaders.
Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia, unilaterally declared independence from the rest of Somalia in 1991 but has not been recognized internationally.
