A delegation led by the British Secretary of State for International Development, the Hon. Andrew Mitchell, arrived in Garowe, capital of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland today. Upon their arrival at Garowe airport, the dignitaries were warmly welcomed and received by Puntland government officials. They later had a meeting with Puntland Vice President Abdisamad Ali Shire and various cabinet ministers.

The media was jointly addressed by Vice President Shire and Mr. Mitchell. The vice president informed the press of the discussions they had conducted with the delegation, which were in relation to development initiatives in Puntland by the British government and how the ties between the two governments could be enhanced. Piracy was top on the agenda in the meeting, the vice president told reporters. One of the vital issues mentioned was the upcoming UK Conference for Somalia which is to be held in London on February 23, 2012.

Mr. Mitchell also spoke to the media about his impression regarding his visit, and gave some insight on the fruitful discussions he held with Puntland officials.

“I am very happy to be the first minister from Britain to visit Puntland region. I had very positive discussions with Puntland’s vice president about the British government funded projects in Puntland and the upcoming Somalia reconciliation conference which is going to be held in London,’’ the minister said.

“We plan to visit the fish market where a project funded by the British government was implemented and we hope that this visit will lead to other projects. We have also discussed the piracy problem with the Puntland government as well as possible strategies on how to tackle this issue as well as similar challenges that are harmful to peace in the region,” Mr. Mitchell added.

The delegation also paid a visit to Garowe General Hospital, one of its police stations, the main jail, and Puntland State University.

Mr. Andrew Mitchell is the first minister from Britain and the European Union to visit Puntland. His visit coincides with the ongoing plans for an international reconciliation meeting to be held in London, which will include delegates from Puntland.

Waxaa maanta caasimada gobolka Puntland ee Garoowe soo gaaray wafdi uu hogaaminayo Wasiirka Horumarinta Caalamka ee Ingiriiska, Mudane Andrew Mitchell. Wufuuda sharafta leh waxaa si diiraan ugu qaabilay Garoonka Diyaaradaha ee garoowe ugu soo dhaweeyey masuuliyiin ka socda Dawlada Puntland. Wufuudu waxay shirar kala duwan la galeen Madaxweyne Ku Xigeenka Puntland Cabdisamad Cali Shire iyo Golaha Wasiirada.

Waxaa saxaafada si wadajir ah ula hadlay Madaxweyne Ku Xigeenka iyo Mudane Mitchell. Madaxweyne Ku Xigeenka ayaa taxaafada usheegay wada hadalkay la yeesheen wafdiga oo ku saabsanaa xiriirka horumarinta Puntland ee dowlada Ingiriiska iyi sidii xirrirka labada dowladood loo xoojin lahaa. Madaxweyne ku xigeenka ayaa suxufiyiinta usheegay in arrimaha burcadnimadu ay ugu muhiimsanayd wada hadalka. Arrimaha muhiimka ah ee lasoo qaaday waxaa ka mid ahaa Shirka London ee dhici doona Febraayo 23, 2012.

Mudane Mitchell ayaa isna ka hadlay fikrada booqashadiisa isagoo iftiimiyay wada hadaladii mira dhalka ahaa ee uu la yeeshay madaxda Puntland.

“Waxaan ku faraxsanahay inaan noqdo wasiirkii ugu horeeyey oo Ingiriis ah oo booqda gobolka Puntland. Waxaan madaxweyne ku xigeenka Puntland la yeeshay wada hadalo tayo leh oo ku saabsan mashaariicda horumarinta ee dowlada Ingiriiska iyo shirka dhexdhexaadinta Soomaaliya ee ka dhicidoona London,” ayaa wasiirku sheegay.

Mudane Mitchell ayaa intaa ku daray “Waxaan booqan doonaa Suuqa Kalluunka ee dowlada Ingirrisku hirgalisay waxaana rajaynaynaa in booqashadani mashaariic kale soo galbindoonto. Waxaan kaloo dowlada Puntland ka wada hadalnay dhibaatada burcada iyo siyaabaha looga hortagi karo arrintan iyo arrimo kale oo dhib ugaysan kara nabada gobolka.” Wafdigu wuxuu kaloo booqday Isbitaalka Guud ee Garoowe, saldhig Boliis, xabsi iyo Jaamacada Gobolka Puntland.

Mudane Andrew Mitchell wuxuu yahay wasiirkii ugu horeeyey ee Ingiriis iyo Midowga Yurubiyaan ah ee booqda Puntland. Booqashadiisu waxay kusoo hagaagtay qorshayaasha loogu diyaargaroobayo shirka wada heshiisiinta caalamiga ah ee London lagu qabandoono oo ka qaybgeli doonaan wufuud Puntland ka socda.

A delegation led by the Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Dr. Kani Torum arrived in Garowe, the capital of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland on Sunday.

Dr. Kani Torum was accompanied by Turkish government officials from the Turkish Ministry of Education and the Turkish Red Crescent Society. During their visit to the city, they held a closed door meeting with Puntland President Hon. Mohamed Mohamud Faroole and his cabinet of ministers.

After their private meeting, they jointly addressed the media. President Faroole acknowledged the fact that the Turkish Government has assisted Puntland well during the recent droughts in the region and Somalia in general. He expressed his appreciation of the Turkish government’s initiatives which are aimed at the development of Puntland and Somalia.

“This delegation has arrived here so that we can discuss the assistance that the Turkish Government is providing to Somalia in general and Puntland in particular,” said the president.

The Turkish Ambassador, Kani Torum expressed his government’s intention to open a regional office in Garowe, the capital city of Puntland. He continued to explain the functions of that office which he said will contribute to the facilitation of healthcare services, education and the development projects which the Turkish government is implementing in Puntland.

The delegation visited various government departments and projects in the city including the Puntland Parliament building which is still under construction, the Ministry of Education, Gambool High School and Garowe General Hospital.

This is the first visit by the Turkish Ambassador to Somalia, however Puntland has in the recent past received guests from the Turkish Agency for Overseas Development and International Relations (TIKA) which intends to implement development programs in Puntland.

Turkey is one of the few governments which has an established embassy in Mogadishu. It is well known for the provision of higher education scholarship opportunities for Somali students from all regions of Somalia.