World Bulletin
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
Bozdag said Somalia asked Turkey to help train soldiers and
police, but this was something that could be done after international
conventions were signed.
Bekir Bozdag said Turkey was always telling its interlocutors that domestic peace should be maintained in Somalia.
"Turkey will be pleased to see positive outcome in efforts to restore
domestic peace, and we have told Somali officials that we are ready to
extend every type of assistance," Bozdag told reporters on his way back
to Turkey from Somalia.
Bozdag said Somalia asked Turkey to help train soldiers and police,
but this was something that could be done after international
conventions were signed.
The minister said there were many projects Turkish businessmen could
undertake in Somalia, and the Somali government had said that it would
do everything it could to facilitate investments.
"Officials told us that history has changed in Somalia after Turkey
came to (help) the country. They see Turkey as the source of change and
hope," Bozdag said.
Bozdag said Somalia considered Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's
visit a historic step, inauguration of Turkish Embassy as a second step,
and direct Turkish Airlines (THY) flights a third step.
The minister said Turkey would establish two development offices in
Somalia, and noted that if Somalia could be taught to stand on its own
feet by increasing its experiences and know-how, this would be the
biggest assistance to that country.
Bozdag said Turkey would open a nursing school and health vocational
high school in Somalia, and educate 500 students in its schools.
"230 students will be educated in foundation universities and 270 others in state universities," Bozdag said.
Bozdag said Turkey would also extend environmental cleaning and municipal work support to Somalia.
Turkey was in Somalia for humanitarian purposes, not for some political intentions, Bozdag said.