Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday the recognition of Somaliland as a "sovereign independent state," being the first official recognition of the republic which separated from Somalia.
He added that the signing of the agreement with Somaliland came for mutual recognition, adding that Israel intends to immediately expand its relations with the unilaterally declared republic.
The Prime Minister's office stated in a release that Israel will intensify cooperation with Somaliland in the fields of economy, technology, agriculture, and health.
A statement from his office said, "Prime Minister Netanyahu and his Foreign Minister (Gideon) Saar and the President of Somaliland signed a mutual and joint declaration."
Saar said on the platform "X" that the agreement also includes "the establishment of full diplomatic relations including the opening of embassies and the appointment of ambassadors."
Saar added: "I have directed my ministry to immediately institutionalize the relations between the two countries in a broad array of fields."
Somaliland is a region that declared its independence unilaterally and is not recognized by any country, with the Somali government opposing Somaliland's independence claim from it.
