Foreign Minister Tuomioja and Development Minister Hautala in Somalia
Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja and Minister for International Development Heidi Hautala are visiting the region of the Horn of Africa. Pekka Haavisto, the Foreign Minister’s Special Representative, is also a participant on the trip.
The difficult political and security situation in the strategically important Horn of Africa and the need for assistance require an active approach from the international community. The purpose of the visit by the ministers is to get first-hand information to support Finland’s input and development cooperation to the region. In accordance with the Government Programme and the Development Policy Programme, Finland should pay attention to supporting fragile states. The visit to Somalia is the first ministerial-level trip to the country.
The ministers visited Mogadishu, the Somali capital, on 1 April and met with President Hassan Sheikh Mahamud, Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, Foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adan and Minister of Development Maryan Qasim, and also with Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Osman Jawar. Discussions focused on the situation in Somalia and development needs. In addition, the ministers met with representatives of civil society and became acquainted with the activities of the UN and the EU in the city.
Finland supports Somalia through humanitarian aid, support to non-government organisations, and a number of bilateral projects. In addition, Finland has decided to support the country's reconstruction work at community level.
Additional information: Director of Communications Keijo Norvanto, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 295 351 351, Susanna Parkkonen, Press Attaché to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, mobile tel. +358 50 377 5601, and Milma Kettunen, Press Attaché to the Minister for International Development, mobile tel. +358 40 522