Somaliland’s Vice President—the acting President, Mr. Ali Aw-Abdi, received Danish Ambassador to Somalia, Steen Sonne Andersen, at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday.
The two sides held discussions focusing on ways to bolster the bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the areas of security, stability, social development, and economic infrastructure.
Issues including democracy, and elections were high in the agenda of the talks, while the Vice President expressed deep appreciation to the Danish government for the financial and development support it provides to Somaliland.
He stated explicitly that the support is significant for the development of social services, economic infrastructure, and democratic institutions.
Somaliland’s Vice President highlighted to the ambassador the importance of Denmark strengthening its support to Somaliland, particularly projects that directly have far-reaching implications to the lives of the community, the development of economic infrastructure and strengthening of government institutions.
He further stated that it is crucial for Denmark, Scandinavian Countries, and the European Union to seriously assess the political and geopolitical situation in the Horn of Africa, noting that Somaliland possess government institutions, a democratic system, stability, and a governance structure that has been built up over a long period.
He also highlighted Somaliland’s strategic importance to regional security— particularly regarding the security of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden corridors, stating that the political reality of Somaliland must be approached in a manner that reflects the will of its people and its role in regional stability.
For his part, Denmark’s Ambassador to Somalia, Steen Sonne Andersen, commended Somaliland’s security, stability, progress and democratic process, emphasizing the importance of further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The Ambassador also confirmed that the Danish Government would continue to support development projects in Somaliland, particularly its long-standing support for Somaliland Development Fund (SDF), which finances development projects with Somaliland’s priorities.
The meeting concluded with a shared understanding and a common vision regarding how to further strengthen the partnership and cooperation between Denmark and Somaliland.
