ASMARA, Oct 10 (MENA) - Egypt and Federal Republic of Somalia on Thursday backed unity, independence, integrity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia over all its territories.

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and his Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud during a meeting in Eritrean capital Asmara, at the invitation of Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, voiced support to the development and coordination between two Arab states in order to enhance the capabilities of the Somali state institutions.

Sisi and Mahmoud welcomed the UN Security Council Resolution No. 2714 (2023) to lift the arms embargo on the Federal Republic of Somalia, and praised the efforts of the Somali National Federal Army under the leadership of Mahmoud, towards enhancing its capabilities and possessing ways to develop its potentials with the aim of extending the state's control over all its territories and maintaining its resources and capabilities.

Egypt and Somalia praised the issuance of the statement of the African Union Peace and Security Council issued at meeting No. (1225) regarding the security arrangements for the post-term period of the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), and the intention to deploy the African Union Mission to Support Stabilization in Somalia (AUSSOM), in accordance with the Somali vision, needs and priorities for the next stage in the efforts to combat terrorism.

In this context, the importance of the African mission supporting Somalia's efforts to build and enhance the state's institutional capacities and enable it to possess and protect its capabilities was emphasized, in parallel with the mission's military and security efforts, with a pledge to provide all types of support and develop programs supporting this goal in accordance with the priorities of the Somali state.

It was pledged to provide all forms of support and assistance to the Federal Republic of Somalia during its non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council for the period 2025-2026 as a representative of the interests and priorities of the African Continent, in addition to intensifying bilateral consultations and coordination on a regular basis regarding regional and international challenges and issues of common interest. (MENA)
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