(07-03-24) ANKARA (Halqabsi News) — Somalia and Turkey have fortified their bilateral ties with an energy exploration and drilling deal, following the defence agreement concluded last month. The pact aims at developing hydrocarbon reserves within Somalia’s exclusive economic zone, areas untouched since the collapse of the Somali government in the early 1990s.
The agreement, which also encompasses land exploration, was signed in Istanbul on Thursday by Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Somali Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Abdirizak Omar Mohamed. This development comes after Ethiopia’s January deal with Somaliland, offering naval and commercial port access in exchange for acknowledging the region’s independence.
In response to the shifting geopolitical landscape, Ankara entered into a comprehensive naval defence pact with Mogadishu last month. The agreement, described by Somalia as historic, tasks Turkey with safeguarding Somali waters against terrorism, piracy, and any external threats for the next decade. Additionally, it allows Turkey to exploit maritime resources within Somalia’s jurisdiction.
The Turkish Navy, engaged since 2009 in anti-piracy missions off Somalia’s coast under a United Nations mandate, underscores Turkey’s commitment to regional security. The energy deal reflects Ankara’s growing interest and expertise in offshore exploration, buoyed by its 2020 gas discovery in the Black Sea, now being channelled into Turkey’s domestic energy supply.
Halqabsi News
