President Hassan hails accession to the Cotonou Agreement as an opportunity for the recovery of Somalia

Office of the President of Somalia
Press release
Monday, June 10, 2013

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The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, expressed his gratitude for Friday’s decision at the European Union to allow Somalia to be a signatory to the Cotonou Agreement, the EU – African, Caribbean, Pacific States Partnership Agreement.

Speaking of the benefits, the President said, “The benefit of the Cotonou Agreement is that Somalia will be eligible to receive development projects from the EU, which will help us to rebuild our country. These development projects will bring provide jobs to our young people so that they can take part the in the reconstruction of their nation prosperity to Somalis in their country.

“We have placed considerable effort into improving our international relations and this represents a great step in our return to the community of nations.

The recent EU-ACP ministerial meeting in Brussels between 3rd to 7th June 2013 Co-Chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Botswana, Mr Phandu Skelemani, and the State Minister of Commerce and Development of Ireland, Mr. Joe Costello, approved the request from Somalia and after the meeting in a press conference Mr Joe Costello said "Today’s agreement for Somalia to be a member of Cotonou Agreement opens a new door for the Federal Government of Somalia and the European Union, which is sign that Somalia has reclaimed membership of the international forum.”

Mr Nur Hassan Hussein (Nur Adde), Somalia Ambassador to Belgium, Italy and EU was present in the meeting representing the Federal Government of Somalia.

Somalia has been granted observer status immediately, with subsequent accession to full membership next year. Somalia was part of the then LOME Agreement before 1991, which became Cotonou Agreement in 2000.

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