Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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336. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position on recognising the sovereign state of Somaliland which has celebrated 25 years of independence and democracy; and if he will support an allocation through the European Development Fund to Somaliland for the Addis-Berbera corridor. [19235/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Ireland, in common with our EU partners, the UN and the African Union, considers Somaliland to be a region of Somalia, though with a special autonomous status. Ireland believes a permanent solution to the status of Somaliland should be reached through negotiations between the authorities of Somaliland and the Federal Government of Somalia. This solution must be acceptable to both parties and we do not seek to influence the outcome of the process.

Funding from the European Development Fund (EDF) for the Addis Ababa-Berbera corridor would fall under an EDF contribution to the EU’s Africa Investment Facility in support of regional economic integration. The overall objective of this measure is to contribute to sustainable economic development through regional economic integration, with an emphasis on the improvement of economic infrastructures. This in turn is part of a wider EDF regional programme for Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean.

Ireland supported the approval of the EDF contribution to the African Investment Facility in January. The measure includes an indicative list of priority projects, one of which is the Berbera Corridor. Funding decisions on projects are taken by the Africa Investment Facility's Board, on which Ireland is represented, and this project will be given every consideration on its merits.