Somalia: Puntland and Ethiopia discuss key strategic issues

ADDIS ABABA - The President of Puntland State of Somalia, HE Said Abdullahi Deni, met with Ethiopian Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa on Friday, Garowe Online reports.

Deni and Shide discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two sides in the fields of trade, security, development as well as Somalia-Ethiopian relations in general, Puntland in particular.

A statement released by Puntland presidency said on Saturday Ethiopia's Minister of Finance Shide was happy to meet with President Deni and underlined that his country keen to boost ties with the State.

Deni’s talks in Addis Ababa will be the first high-level interaction between Puntland and Ethiopia officials since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in early 2018.

Puntland and Ethiopia share a diverse and expanding partnership in business, investment, security, environmental cooperation, and educational relations.

Ethiopian Airlines has started direct flights to Garowe and Bosaso, two main cities in the Puntland State of Somalia on July 15th, 2019 after President Deni signed a historic deal with the company in Addis Ababa.

Puntland has a long border with East Ethiopia; a land-locked country that depends on its neighboring countries for any of its imported goods outside of the region.

GAROWE ONLINE