Somalia President meets with Italian foreign minister

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia held talks with the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio for the first time since the president was inaugurated last week.

The President and the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs discussed the bilateral ties existing between the two countries and how to further strengthen the ties. The Somali President also thanked Italy for remaining a strong partner in Somalia’s quest for stability and progress.

For his part, the Italian Foreign Minister congratulated the President on his election and expressed the Italian Government’s support for Somali’s development and security plans.

The Italian government is working with the Federal Government of Somalia to rebuild its armed forces, drought relief, debt forgiveness and to strengthen international investment in the country’s resources.