The governments of Somalia and Pakistan discussed strengthening cooperation in the areas of security, education and economic development after talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between officials from both countries who are attending the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit.
Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalan Abdi Ali held a private meeting in Jeddah with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who was attending the 21st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
“The two officials agreed to expand bilateral cooperation, including security, military training, healthcare and the development of government institutions,” a statement from the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The officials also discussed the facilitation of visa procedures and the movement of citizens between Somalia and Pakistan, and Minister Abdisalan Abdi Ali asked his Pakistani counterpart to increase Pakistan’s scholarship programs for Somali students.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, for his part, affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to stability in Somalia, and pledged that Islamabad is ready to advance relations with the Somali government.
