Five European ambassadors jointly presented their credentials to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu on Tuesday (February 26th), according to a news release from the Delegation of the European Union to Kenya.

Ambassadors Margit Hellwig-Bötte of Germany, Etienne de Poncins of France, Javier Herrera García-Canturri of Spain, Bart Ouvry of Belgium and Sofie From-Emmesberger of Finland become their countries' ambassadors to Somalia for the first time in more than two decades.

"With the accreditation of five EU member states' ambassadors to Somalia, the EU expresses its genuine commitment to the people of Somalia and underlines its confidence in the new political dispensation," the statement said. "The EU's partnership with Somalia is based upon respect for Somali ownership and responsibility."

The EU said it supports the Somali government's efforts in building a federal state, establishing security and the rule of law, improving its financial management system, and living peacefully with its neighbours.