Hargeisa (SLpost)- The President of the Republic of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi received a delegation from the United Kingdom which included Ambassador Ben Fender, Mr. Damon Bristow of DFID, and Stuart Brown of the UK Hargeisa Office.
The delegation are in Somaliland to discuss areas of mutual interest, including the UK’s continued funding of the Somaliland Development Fund. The fund which receives support from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark and Norway has greatly contributed to the economic development of Somaliland.
During the meeting, President Muse Bihi stressed the need for more co-operation between Somaliland and the international community. The president also stated that the conditions recently set-out by the Somaliland cabinet must be met in order for the stalled talks with Somalia to resume.
Ambassador Fender, responding for the United Kingdom delegation, declared the recent efforts to resolve issue pertaining to the holding of parliamentary and local elections in Somaliland are an encouraging sign.
Mr. Bristow of the DFID also confirmed that the UK will be funding a new solar project in Somaliland to help provide sustainable power source.
The Somaliland minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Yasin Haji Mohamud Hir, and the Said Ali Shire, finance and international co-operation also attended the meeting.