Somalia's non-resident Ambassador to Azerbaijan based in Ankara, Fathudin Ali Mohamed, recently made a working visit to Baku.
In his interview with Report, the ambassador discussed both the purpose of his visit and the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Somalia.
- You recently presented your credentials to the President of Azerbaijan. What will be the main directions of your activities as ambassador to Azerbaijan? What areas could be priorities for the development of relations between the two countries?
- First of all, let me extend my heartfelt congratulations to the leadership and the people of Azerbaijan for successfully organizing and concluding the COP29 conference.
I also commend Azerbaijan for the significant role it played in ensuring the conference's success and advancing critical discussions on global climate action.
My primary role as an ambassador is to establish and maintain diplomatic relations between our two countries, facilitate trade, and promote cultural and educational cooperation, especially for our youth.
On November 1, 2024, I had the honor of submitting my diplomatic credentials to H.E. President Ilham Aliyev. In my brief meeting with the president in which the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Jeyhun Bayramov, and the Special Adviser to President Aliyev, Mr. Hikmat Hajiyev were in attendance, we focused on strengthening the relationship between our two countries, which began in 2019 following the appointment of our former ambassador, Mr. Jama A. Mohamed as our non-resident ambassador to Azerbaijan.
- Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ahmed Moallim Fiqi Ahmed discussed the possibilities of expanding trade between the two countries, cooperation in the oil and gas and agricultural sectors during his meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Baku. What is the current level of cooperation in these areas?
- Obviously, Somalia had strong relations with Azerbaijan during the Soviet era, where a lot of Somali students and army officers used to train here in Baku but in 2019, we established diplomatic relations between Somalia and independent-sovereign Azerbaijan.
For Somalia, this relationship holds great potential for mutual benefit and continued collaboration.
One of the key points under discussion is the strengthening of our defense relationship which has recently commenced. Our defense minister is currently in discussions with his Azerbaijani counterpart on an agreement to establish a robust defense cooperation framework. Such cooperation is anticipated to yield significant benefits for both nations.
By the way, during my last visit to Baku, on December 4, I also met with Azerbaijan's Minister of Science and Education, Emin Amrullayev. During the meeting, we discussed future development prospects for cooperation between the two countries in science and education. Azerbaijan-Somalia educational cooperation and exchange in the field of education were discussed.
- What other meetings did you have during your last visit to Baku, and what are the expectations from those meetings?
- We called on Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov and Deputy Minister Samir Valiyev. We had productive discussions in the oil and energy sector. We agreed on high-level visits to Azerbaijan. In other words, we can say that all our meetings were beneficial.
- What high-level visits are expected between the two countries?
We planned to invite Somalia's ministers of Oil and Mineral Resources, Energy and Water Resources, as well as our Minister of Education to Azerbaijan in January-February 2025. I have positive expectations from these visits. I believe that cooperation between Azerbaijan and Somalia in the fields of oil, energy, and education will strengthen further. Everyone, especially Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, welcomed our initiatives.
- Azerbaijan is organizing a series of international conferences on neocolonialism. What is Somalia's position on neocolonialism?
- On the question of neocolonialism, Somalia firmly opposes any ideology, which undermines its sovereignty and its territorial integrity. We also oppose any type of economic exploitation, political manipulation, and external interference because we believe that will hinder genuine progress and perpetuate inequality.
In Somalia, we believe in the right of all nations to self-determination, free from external control as stipulated in the UN charter.
Our position is rooted in advocating for fair trade, mutual respect in international relations, and sustainable partnerships that empower rather than exploit. Somalia calls on the global community to support efforts that promote true independence, equitable economic opportunities, and respect for human rights while rejecting systems that perpetuate dependency and inequality.
- Culture is the easiest factor to bring people closer together. Do you think cultural relations between the two countries can be a priority?
- Also, among the issues under discussion between us and Azerbaijan is fostering interaction between our peoples, particularly given that Somalia has a large diaspora community, especially in Europe & North America and many of them are interested in visiting, and even potentially living in Azerbaijan due to its status as an Islamic country, which aligns with their cultural and religious values.
- Mr. Ambassador, we recently witnessed a historic event. A historic reconciliation was achieved between the presidents of Somalia and Ethiopia through Türkiye's mediation. Congratulations. What can you say about this?
- Yes, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took a wise step by inviting Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Ankara. A very productive meeting was held. We are grateful to Mr. Erdogan for his reconciliation mission. We reached an important agreement.
We will jointly resolve some disagreements and misunderstandings with the neighboring state. A new phase based on peace and cooperation has begun between Somalia and Ethiopia. I think this also shows respect for Somalia's territorial integrity. Ethiopia is our neighbor. We wish to continue relations free from all conflicts, in peace and reconciliation.
We also wish for the signing of peace agreements between all conflicting states, including Azerbaijan and Armenia.