REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

PRESS RELEASE

20th MAY 2005

PRESS RELEASE

H. E. Mrs. Edna Adan Ismail, Somaliland's Minister of Foreign Affairs was welcomed at the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office, London, UK, by Senior FCO Minister, Lord (David) Triesman, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, with responsibility for Africa. The meeting which lasted nearly an hour was also attended by Officials of the British Foreign Office as well as by the Mr. Osman Ahmed Hassan, Somaliland Representative in the United Kingdom.

During her meeting with the newly appointed British Minister for Africa, H. E. Mrs. Edna Adan Ismail briefed the Minister on Somaliland's achievements since 18th May 1991 and relations between Somaliland Republic and the United Kingdom were reviewed, including areas of past cooperation between the two States.

The two Ministers expressed keen interest in continuing the historical relationship and cooperation between Somaliland Republic and the UK, particularly in the areas of political/diplomatic, security, cultural and economic development.

The Ministers re-emphasised the importance of safeguarding peace and stability in the region and fighting international terrorism.

H. E. Mrs. Edna Adan Ismail, Somaliland's Minister of Foreign Affairs assured H.M. Government of Somaliland's commitment to the acceleration and completion of Somaliland march in its ongoing democratisation process.

H. E. Mrs. Edna Adan Ismail thanked Her Majesty's Government for the support they extend to Somaliland and its people and extended an invitation for Lord Triesman to visit Somaliland as his predecessor had done in order to further strengthen the bilateral relations between our countries and peoples.

Editor Note:-
Lord David Triesman ,Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State,
Has responsibility for all FCO business in the Lords, Latin America, the Caribbean and Overseas Territories, Africa, Commonwealth, UK Visas, Migration Policy, Consular Policy, British Council and BBC World Service.