The Turkish government has said that Turkish fishing vessels are expected to arrive in Somalia in the coming months, saying the move is part of efforts to develop Somalia’s maritime economy.
Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Alper Aktaş made the remarks at the first Somalia Maritime Conference, saying that Somalia has made a mark in rebuilding its government institutions and enhancing its maritime capabilities.
He said the arrival of the fishing vessels will help develop the blue economy, noting that Somalia has the longest coastline in Africa and vast marine resources that still hold many opportunities.
The ambassador also said that the security situation in Somalia has changed significantly, noting that today it is possible to hold high-level international conferences in Mogadishu, whereas this was not possible 15 to 20 years ago.
He added that he had been working in Somalia for nearly two and a half years, and during that time he had seen with his own eyes the significant developments that had taken place in the country, expressing hope that this development would continue.
The ambassador said that Turkey would continue its support for Somalia, stressing that the two countries would work together to exploit the economic opportunities in the Somali Sea.
