MEP holds talks with Somali minister

Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola (EPP) met Somali minister for human development Maryan Qasim, in a discussion on the country's path towards stability.

"Thousands of Somali nationals who left their country to be granted protection by Malta have expressed their desire to see a strong Somalia that enables them to return to their families and communities and to be part of Somalia's rebuilding efforts," Metsola said.

The MEP hailed the recently launched UNICEF and EU 'Go To School' campaign in Somalia, which aims to provide education to one million Somali children. Metsola urged all partners to work to ensure that the positive momentum in Somalia is sustained in order to raise the quality of life for the people of Somalia.

Metsola met Qasim on the margins of the Brussels conference 'A New Deal for Somalia', where she co-hosted a photo exhibition on the 'Children of Somalia' with UNICEF in the European Parliament.

Metsola said the Brussels conference shows the engagement of the international community and the commitment of the Somali government to improve life for its people in Somalia.

"Above all it is the children that give hope. The exhibition illustrates how creative they can be if they are given a chance. They are the future of Somalia," Metsola said.

The exhibition was also attended by Alexander Rondos, EU Special Representative to the Horn of Africa and Sikander Khan, UNICEF Representative for Somalia.