President Rayale meets with EU delegation

Hargeisa (Qaran)-The President of Somaliland, Mudane Dahir Rayale Kahin met with a delegation from the European Union led by Mr.Richard Hands at the Presidency in Hargeisa.
According the communiqué issued by President's Press office, Mr. Hands and his delegation are on a visit to discuss the European Union's support of Somaliland's voter registration and the upcoming elections in 2009.

During the meeting with the EU delegation, President Rayale thanked the European Union for its support of Somaliland's efforts to complete the voter registration drive and the implementation of the upcoming elections in 2009.

President Rayale also remarked on Somaliland's proven track record in resolving any issues through dialogue, discussion and consensus. Mudane Rayale stated Somaliland will shortly proceed with the voter registration with the participation of the National Elections Commissions, the opposition parties and with the relevant government departments.

In response, Mr. Hands thanked the President and the people of Somaliland for the warm welcome afforded to his delegation during their visit.

Mr. Hands praised Somaliland's ability to resolve any internal political issues through dialogue and acknowledged nations path towards democracy and good governance.

In conclusion, Mr. Hands stated that the donor nations from the European Union are ready to assist Somaliland with the voter registration drive and the implementation of the upcoming Presidential and local assembly elections in 2009, which he described as an important step in Somaliland's path towards democracy and is being greatly anticipated by the international community.

During their visit in Somaliland, the EU delegation are expected with the Speakers of both chambers of Somaliland's parliament, opposition parties, members of the National Elections Commission and representatives from several social organisations.

Mudane Saeed Mohamed Nur, Somaliland's minister of state at the Foreign office attended the meeting between President Rayale and the EU delegation.