Representatives of the Federal Government of Somalia and the self-declared Republic of Somaliland have signed an accord guiding future talks during negotiations in Turkey, reports said Sunday.
The Istanbul talks moderated by the Turkish foreign ministry are the latest round in a series of status talks between the two authorities which maintain tense relations.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia following the collapse of the central government in 1991 led by the late dictator Siad Barre.
The region's independence remains unrecognised internationally. It however has a a working political system, government institutions, a police force and its own currency.
Somalia has been seeking reunification while Somaliland wants complete freedom, and ongoing talks are aimed at settling the latter's status.
The two sides have agreed further talks in three months, and also created a Istanbul-based secretariat to frame the agenda.
Somalia's delegation was led by National Security minister Abdikarim Hussein Guled while the Somaliland mission was headed by the authority’s Foreign Affairs minister, Mohamed Bihi Yonis.
The signing was witnessed by the Turkish Ambassador to Somalia, Dr Cemalettin Kani Torun.
"This accord represents good preliminary steps towards further discussions on more pressing issues," Dr Kahlid Omar Ali, the new Somali minister of Sports and Youth Development said.
Dr Ali said that the main document was in the Somali language because the Provisional Constitution of Somalia demands that all agreements reached by the government are drafted in Somali language, but could be translated to any other language.
Mr Yonis said that the environment was conducive enough to encourage further talks.
"We see no obstacles in the continuation of the negotiations between Somaliland and Somalia," he said.
But analysts say a comprehensive deal is still some distance off.
The two sides have held earlier rounds of talks in London and Dubai.
Earlier agreements included the formation of a joint team to discuss how to control Somalia's airspace, a duty surrendered by the UN following talks in Nairobi.
Read here: http://www.raxanreeb.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Somalia-and-Somaliland-Agreed-on-some-crucial-points-in-their-turkey-talks.pdf
Read here: http://www.raxanreeb.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Somalia-and-Somaliland-Agreed-on-some-crucial-points-in-their-turkey-talks.pdf
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