Somali premier, Russian FM discuss security cooperation in Paris

Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the sidelines of the Paris Peace Forum on Tuesday.

Kheyre and Lavrov discussed the state of peace and security in Somalia and the efforts of the international community in Somalia’s recovery process.

Mogadishu and Moscow had strong diplomatic ties backed by defence cooperation before 1977.

Former Somali President Mohamed Siyad Barre ordered the Soviets out of a base in the port city of Berbera after the latter provided military support to Addis Ababa during the 1977 war between the neighbouring states over a land dispute.

Meanwhile, while in the French capital, the Somali prime minister met with several other global leaders and briefed them about the achievements and challenges of his government.

The premier held bilateral talks with the host president, Emmanuel Macron, and discussed potential areas of mutual cooperation and quest for debt relief efforts.

While addressing the Paris Peace Forum, Prime Minister Hassan Kheyre appealed to the member states that no country should be left behind in the quest to achieve sustainable development goals.