ISTANBUL, Dec. 31 (SANA)Turkish PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdoganon Tuesday renewed his rejection and condemnation of Israels decision to recognizeSomaliland, stressing that such recognition is illegitimate and unacceptable.
According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan made the remarks during a joint press conference in Istanbul with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, saying that preserving Somalias unity and territorial integrity under all circumstances remains a top priority for Turkey.
Erdogan warned that Israel seeks to drag the Horn of Africa into instability following what he described as its bloody aggressions against countries in the region.
He affirmed thatTurkeywill firmly continue to support Somalias territorial integrity and political unity and to stand by the Somali people.
For his part, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said it is impossible to accept the hostile stance of the Israeli prime minister toward Somalias territorial integrity.
He said this stance constitutes a violation of international law, the founding charter of the United Nations, as well as diplomatic principles and the agreements upon which the African Union was established.
Israel announced on Dec. 26 that it had reached a mutual recognition arrangement with the Somaliland region, becoming the only country to take such a step since Somalilands unilateral declaration of independence from Somalia in 1991. The move drew widespread Arab and international condemnation and renewed calls for respect for Somalias unity and sovereignty
