The Turkish president hosted a dinner in honor of his Somali counterpart on Friday.

Turkey's President Abdullah Gul hosted the dinner in honor of Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed at the Cankaya Presidential Palace in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

"Turkey will complete its humanitarian aid to Somalia with reconstruction and development assistance," Gul said during the dinner.

Gul said Somalia had been a center of attraction throughout history due to its strategic importance at the Gulf of Aden and on the intersection point of world trade routes, but this strategic attention and interest had not always brought peace and prosperity to the people of Somalia.

"I believe that problems will be left behind, the longing of our Somali brothers for peace, stability and prosperity will end, Somalia will get back to old good days, and get the place it deserves in the world," he said.

Gul said Turkey would be beside Somalia, and defined Africa as the center of humanity's future.

President Gul also said that it was every one's responsibility to contribute to democratic, economic and social transformation processes of African countries.

Also speaking in the dinner, Ahmed said that Somalia needed support for security, stability and reconstruction.

Ahmed said that Somali government was carrying out restructuring works, at the same time it was taking measures to prevent recurrence of domestic clashes.

The Somali president also said that Somali executives would do everything for their country and reach success.

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Güncelleme Tarihi: 18 Nisan 2009, 11:56