The East African country is grateful to Turkish President Erdogan for the initiative to hold talks between Ethiopia and Somalia, as well as to Fidan for his meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
“Ethiopia is confident that Turkey now appreciates the importance Ethiopia attaches to this facilitation and Ethiopia’s legitimate interest and the peaceful manner in which it seeks to secure dependable access to and from the sea. Ethiopia has endeavored to de-escalate tensions and restore normal relations in the region,” the statement read.
The press release added that Ethiopia looks forward to continued engagement to resolve current differences and restore normal relations, anticipating a fruitful third round of talks with Somalia.
On January 2, Somalia recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia, following Addis Ababa's signing of a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland, which provided Ethiopia with access to the Red Sea. On January 6, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud annulled the agreement through legislation. In February, Somalia called on the United Nations and the African Union to denounce the memorandum of understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland.