GAROWE, Somalia -- Delegations representing Federal Government of Somalia and Somaliland's separatist administration Thursday gathered for bilateral talks in the Turkish city of Istanbul after numerous postponements, Garowe Online reports.The Somali Federal Government acting Interior Minister Abdikarin Hussein Guled and Somaliland Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamed Bihi Yonis briefed the media on the preparations for the third round of Turkey-brokered dialogue process by both sides, before moving into face-to-face discussions.
Guled firstly expressed hope over the outcome of the bilateral talks, declaring that a united Somalia is of utmost priority for them.
"On our side [Somalia Federal Government], we will focus on solutions to the standing differences and I am very hopeful about their future reaction to our agendas," said the acting internal affairs and security minister. "The political issues between Somalia and Somaliland can't be solved within short time and the talks will continue until an inclusive consensus".
Somaliland Foreign Affairs Minister, Yonis who addressed reporters on behalf of the separatist administration's delegation emphasized his government's bid for independence from the rest of Somalia.
"Somaliland's succession is untouchable because Somaliland people agreed on it, but we are ready to discuss the other prevailing issues with them," noted Yonis.
Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Kani Torun officially launched the first phase of dialogue and urged all parties to reach agreement.
The Mogadishu-based Federal Government and Somalia's separatist administration of Somaliland agreed to co-manage national airspace during the second round of the dialogue process in July 2013.
Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia, unilaterally declared independence from the rest of the country in 1991 but has not been recognized internationally yet.