“After 20 years of suffering Somalia has finally turned the page”, asserted Minister for Foreign Affairs Giulio Terzi as he expressed his “deep satisfaction” with the seating of the new Somali parliament in Mogadishu, underscoring that, with its approval of a new constitution a few weeks ago, Somalia had taken “a further, significant step toward re-establishing legitimate and effective sovereignty”.
“This accomplishment”, Terzi continued, “is the result of the commitment of numerous actors: the Somali people first and foremost, along with the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative, the African Union, the Somali security forces and the entire international community working for years to foster stability in Somalia”.
“It is now necessary to appoint all the members of parliament”, he added, “in line with the quality, gender and transparence-related criteria already established, and to proceed at the same time to the election of the new president, thus concluding a long and completely successful phase of transition”.
“Consolidation of parliamentary democracy and the reconstruction are going to require a great sense of responsibility”, Terzi asserted, “and strong national cohesion by the Somali leadership, for the good of the people and in the interests of the nation”,
“As Somalia confronts these demanding challenges, Italy”, Minister Terziconcluded, “will continue to stand by its side.”
