Somalia ratifies maritime cooperation agreement with Turkey

Somalia’s federal cabinet has ratified a maritime cooperation agreement with Turkey, expanding bilateral ties in the transport and port sectors.

The decision was taken during a regular meeting of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, where several reports and agreements were reviewed, according to the Somali National News Agency (SONNA).

The cabinet approved a cooperation agreement between the Somali Federal Government and the Turkish government aimed at exchanging expertise in maritime transport. The date of the agreement’s signing was not disclosed.

The deal covers the development of maritime trade, improved vessel traffic management, modernisation of port services, and mutual recognition of seafarers’ competency certificates. It also provides for technical cooperation, the exchange of expertise, equal access to port services and the facilitation of trade activities between the two countries.

Cooperation between Turkey and Somalia has expanded significantly since 2011, particularly in the fields of the economy, education, healthcare, infrastructure and broader development initiatives.