Garowe: EU delegation visits Puntland ; Pics

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EU Ambassadors in Structural Dialogue with Puntland.

 

Garowe - A historic meeting took place in Puntland when a delegation of Ambassadors and Embassy representatives from the European Union convened with high-ranking officials from the Puntland Government.

 

The meeting was an initial step taken towards the establishment of structural dialogue between Puntland and the European Union. It is envisaged that the EU and Puntland will engage in a similar dialogue to be held in Nairobi a few months from today.

 

Heading the EU delegation was the Temporary President of the EU to Somalia, H.E Nicolas Martin Cinto. H.E Nicolas Martin Cinto is also the Ambassador of Spain to Kenya.

 

The delegation comprised of H.E Mr. Stefano Antonio Dejak, the Ambassador of Italy to Kenya, Mr. Renaud Ferrand , the first Counselor at the Embassy of France in Kenya and Mr. BIELECKI Andrzej the First Secretary at the Embassy of Belgium in Kenya.

 

From the Embassy of Finland Mr. Jussi Laurikainen, the Assistant/Governance for Good Governance and Regional Issues/Somalia was present while Ms. Paula Vazquez Horyaans presented the EU Somalia Operations Unit. Mr. Mohamed Osman Aden, the Counselor at the Somali Embassy in Kenya, accompanied the delegation.

 

The Vice-president of Puntland, H.E Brig. Gen. Abdisamad Ali Shire and members of the Puntland Government warmly received the EU delegation at Garowe Airport today before escorting them to the Presidential Palace in Garowe.

 

On arrival at the Presidential Palace, the delegation met privately with H.E President Abdirahman Mahamed Mahamud in his office at the palace. Then, they were ushered into the conference facility where they discussed with Cabinet Ministers and authorities from the Office of the President.

 

In the conference room, the delegation was introduced to the Minister of Security, the Minister of Interior, Local Government and Rural Development, the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, the Minister for Marine Transportation and Ports, The Minister for Environment and The Minister of Health from the Puntland Government.

 

The delegation also met the State Minister of the Puntland Presidency for Democratization and Federal Affairs, The State Minister of the Puntland Presidency for Security, the Special Police Unit Commander and the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President.

 

"This is a historic moment for Puntland," H.E President Abdirahman Mahamed Mahamud said. "It is the first time that Puntland has received such a high ranking delegation."

 

President Abdirahman read a message from Puntland to the EU delegation and an official dossier was handed out to the delegation.

 

On behalf of the EU delegation, H.E Mr. Nicolas Cinto presented a message from the EU to Puntland. The delegation also presented a report on EU funded interventions in Puntland.

 

The parties discussed a number of issues regarding piracy, security and development in Puntland. The EU and Puntland mutually agreed upon suggestions for further collaboration and correspondence before wrapping up the meeting on a happy note.

 

After the meeting, the delegation was treated to a traditional Somali Buffet in a scenic mountainous setting located in the Nugal region countryside before their departure.

 

Source: puntland-gov.net

[General Duke]

Somalia: EU envoys in historic visit to Puntland

19 Jun 19, 2010 - 3:19:31 PM

 

A delegation from European countries toured Somalia’s Puntland state for the first time, Radio Garowe reports.

 

The plane carrying the delegation led by the Spanish envoy to Kenya, whose country temporarily hold EU chair, landed at Conoco, in the outskirts of Garowe city, the administrative capital of Puntland.

 

Puntland State President Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed "Farole," and senior government officials received the delegation comprising of envoys representing European countries to Kenya, in Garowe presidential palace.

 

“It is a historic trip for the EU envoys in Kenya to Garowe, they are arriving at a time when the region is green and rainy season, and they have even seen how Puntland is rich interms of livestock,” he said after the meeting with the envoys.

 

Among the things discussed is strengthening cooperation and advancing EU-sponsored development projects in Puntland State, which has been successful, added the president.

 

He however noted that the envoys had short time to spend on the trip, promising another tour to take them around and discuss development projects in Puntland State.

 

The envoys were then taken to Salahley, in the outskirts of Garowe, where they were prepared for special lunch.

 

After the wonderful lunch, the envoys met with traditional elders who included Islan Isse Islan Mohammed, Sultan Said Mohammed Garase, Garad Abdullahi Ali Iid, Sultan Said Mohammed and Sultan Mohammed Mashqare.

 

“I am telling you that Puntland enjoys peace and tranquility both in the rural and urban like you have seen now, the peace is a common interest for everyone in Puntland,. We only need the developed countries to support us on what we can’t achieve. We pray to God for the stability of the rest of the country that is suffering from conflict. We call on you to offer your help and we will always welcome you,” said Islan Isse Islan Mohammed. .

 

The EU delegation flew back to Nairobi, Kenya, later Saturday.

 

GAROWE ONLINE

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