Mogadishu, Somalia – The Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, met with European Union Ambassador to Somalia Francesca Di Mauro on Friday at the ministry’s headquarters in Mogadishu, reaffirming what he called a “strategic alliance built on trust, friendship, and a common vision for peace, stability, and growth.”
Nur praised the EU for its longstanding support to Somalia’s maritime sector, highlighting its role in coastal security operations, anti-piracy missions, and port infrastructure development. He emphasized that Somalia’s future economic growth relies heavily on strong maritime governance and international trade facilitation.
“Our partnership with the European Union goes beyond formality—it is a genuine collaboration that is reshaping Somalia’s blue economy,” Nur said during the talks.
Amb. Di Mauro commended the ministry’s ongoing reforms and reiterated the EU’s commitment to working closely with Somalia on port modernization, regulatory frameworks, and marine resource sustainability. According to officials present, both sides discussed plans to expand cooperation in maritime security training, coastal investment opportunities, and support to fishing communities affected by climate change and illegal fishing.
The meeting comes as Somalia seeks to reposition itself as a major maritime corridor linking Africa to the Middle East and Asia. With ports in Mogadishu, Kismayo, and Bosaso undergoing upgrades, the government is actively courting international partners to transform the sector into a key driver of national revenue.
Diplomats at the ministry described the engagement as cordial and forward-looking, noting that the tone of the conversation reflected growing confidence between the two sides.
Rather than a routine courtesy visit, Friday’s meeting appeared to set the stage for deeper cooperation—anchored not just in aid, but in shared ambition.