Somali president says promises by Turkish Premier Erdogan fulfilled

MOGADISHU (A.A) - Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said on Tuesday that commitments that were made by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan were being fulfilled one by one. A ceremony took place at Mogadishu Airport on the occasion of beginning of flights by the Turkish national flag carrier, Turkish Airlines (THY) to Somali capital of Mogadishu. Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Ahmed said that after 20 years, an international airways launched a flight to Somalia and it strengthened friendly ties between Turkey and Somalia.  There has been a great transformation and development in Somalia in the recent period, he said. "There has been significant progress in politics, security, urbanization and humanitarian matters in Somalia. I would like to thank Turkish government and people for their support," Somali president said. Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said that Mogadishu was the 197th international destination to which THY planes flew. Bozdag said that Mogadishu Airport was restored for international flights under the leadership of Turkish Cooperation & Coordination Agency Administration (TIKA) and with support by THY. Turkey would keep supporting Somalia, he said, adding that they would keep fulfilling all promises made by Premier Erdogan.