HARGEISA (Somalilandpress) — A Finnish delegation from it’s embassies in East Africa has arrived in Somaliland’s capital on Monday on a fact-finding mission, Qarannews reports.
The delegation is led by Mr. Simo-Pekka Parviainen, Counselor (conflict) at the Finnish embassy in Addis Ababa, Mrs. Pia Stjernvall, First Secretary & Deputy Permanent Representative to UNEP & UN-Habitat at the Finnish embassy in Nairobi and Mr. Riku Santaharju.
Speaking to the Somaliland press upon their arrival in Hargeisa, Mr. Parviainen stated “Firstly, we would like to thank the people of Somaliland for their warm welcome. We are here at the invitation of the government to see for ourselves the current political, security, economic, social and democratic conditions in the country. We would also like to meet with a cross-section of the Somaliland community from the political, social and business sector. As well as, evaluating the progress of Finnish sponsored projects in Somaliland”.
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In one of the first meetings, the Finnish delegation had met with the Secretary-General of the ruling UDUB party, Mr. Omar Farah Jama, who was in Addis Ababa recently.
The delegation are also expected to meet with various government ministers, both chambers of parliament and senior officials from the two opposition parties, Kulmiye and UCID, as well as Somaliland National Electoral Commission (NEC).
During their meeting with UDUB officials, the Finnish delegation confirmed that Finland has donated €2-million (Euros) worth of humanitarian aid via UNICEF for various water projects around the country.
Source: Qarannews, 10 February 2010
Glad to see many nations are taking the initiative to visit Somaliland and see with their own eyes "Africa's best kept secret"
Thank you Finland for everything; you are better 1milion times from a lot of Arab and Muslims countries…
Ibrahim, you have said it very well. I don't think all Arab states are against Somaliland, only Egypt and Libya and to a lesser extent Djibouti seem to oppose Somaliland. All for geo-political reasons, Egypt for the Nile and Ethiopia, and when Souther Sudan declares indepedence, then that will be all over. Djibouti, because of the economic threat we pose, but I don't see any reason why we can't do business with Djibout and prosper.
Libya, because of Qaddafi and his delusions.
The Finnish delegation talked about aid to Somaliland through UNICEF. Where are the projects?. I think all the developmental projects said to be granted to Somaliland are squandered through the middle. Nothing of substance is seen for real.
Another sceptic, open your eyes, I guess you haven't lived in or visit Somaliland, if you can't see any progress. Lest we forget Hargeisa and the rest of Somaliland in 1988.
@Ibrahim, let me correct you bro, Muslims are every time better than non blievers (Finland). Even if they are good for us we can’t compare them. It is true that most of the Arab countries are nothing for us. So remember bro next time Just say ARABS don’t include MUSLIMS “We r alwys better”
Sidiq, I agree we must clarify the difference between Muslim and Arab. Not all Muslims are Arabs, and not all Arabs are Muslim.
I think the point Ibrahim was making was that Finland has done more to assist Somaliland than most Arab nations, who happen to be predominantly Muslim.
There are exceptions to the above statement, UAE, and recently Saudi Arabia came to mind, but the likes of Egypt remain opposed to Somaliland, politically.
Alxamdu lilaah, Somaliland is here to stay.
Sidiq, I agree we must clarify the difference between Muslim and Arab. Not all Muslims are Arabs, and not all Arabs are Muslim.