Vice President meets with Somali Deputy Prime Minister

Jakarta-wapresri.go.id Vice President Jusuf Kalla held a bilateral meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia Mohamed Omar Arteh on Tuesday (Mar. 7) at the Jakarta Convention Center in Jakarta on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Leaders’ Summit 2017.

In the meeting, Arteh wished for closer cooperation between Indonesia and Somalia, especially in the fields of education, culture, business and trade, and defense.

In the field of education, Arteh hoped more Somalis could attend schools or colleges in Indonesia. He also hoped cultural exchange programs are more frequently held between the two countries.

In the field of defense, Arteh continued, Somalia is currently restructuring its coastal guard system previously under military and now has turned into a civil system. This, he said, is expected to enhance the security of the sea around Somalia.

Currently, Arteh added, Somalia is facing the problem of Illegal, Unregulated Unreportedand fising (IUUF) which is also faced by Indonesia. Arteh then wished for the collaboration with Indonesia to tackle the problem.

On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Omar Arteh also told the Vice President about severe drought that has affected Somalia for the last two years which threaten the country with famine.

UN Secretary-General, he said, is in Somalia now to review the condition. He then hoped Indonesia could take part in the efforts to overcome the impending disaster.

In response, in the fields of social and culture, the Vice President would instruct the Embassy of Indonesia to Kenya which is also accredited to Somali and relevant ministries to offer more scholarships to Somali students.

The Vice President also promised to discuss the famine issue in Somalia with President Jokowi to prepare steps to help the people of Somalia.

Also attending the meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia Mohamed Omar Arteh were Senior Officer of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Dool and a member of Somali Security National Council Nour Kafi Aboubakar.

Meanwhile, Vice President Jusuf Kalla was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Agung, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, Minister of Communications and Information Rudiantara, Head of the Investment Coordinating Board Thomas Lembong, Head of the Secretariat of the Vice President Mohamad Oemar, Indonesian Ambassador to Kenya Soehardjono Sastromihardjo, and Director of the East Asia and Pacific of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Edi Yusup.