Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry expressed Egypt's commitment to work closely with all partners to alleviate suffering of the Somali people, addressing Egypt's "very long history of cooperation" with the country. He added that the ongoing "humanitarian crisis in southern, central and north-eastern" Somalia is "alarming" and "requires an immediate response". Delivering a speech in a ministerial forum on Somalia in Copenhagen, Shoukry said Egypt was an active participant in mediation efforts in the Horn of Africa country, in collaboration with other partners, according to a statement by the foreign ministry. Shoukry said there is need for a "greater focus" to combat "extremism" and "terrorism", adding that these trends are not confined to Somalia and that they "cross the borders everywhere". The foreign minister commended efforts exerted to "achieve peace, stability" and to help build a "prosperous Somalia after more than two decades of suffering and despair". Egypt has provided Somalia with economic and social aid over the past years, including sending food shipments, dispatching medical convoys and sending medication as well as diplomatic and security aid, including training for Somali intelligence and offering military scholarships. Somalia has suffered from conflict for decades, as rebel fighters and government forces continue to fight for control. Shoukry praised the efforts and progress of the federal government of Somalia towards achieving a sovereign, secure, democratic, united, and federal Somalia but added that restoring peace, building state institutions and holding "democratic and inclusive" elections by 2016 "lies on the shoulders of the Somali people and their representative government". The foreign minister is currently on a European tour to discuss the region's issues on an international level.
