After their meeting, the two leaders agreed to support the outcome of the recent London talks and continuation of the talks between them, according to Somali defence minister Hussein Arab Isse .

The meeting is a follow up of the June 21 London talks, where leaders from Somalia’s TFG and Somaliland held their first formal discussions on the future of the self-proclaimed Somaliland republic.

Somaliland broke away in 1991 and wants to be a separate country — but it has not been internationally recognized while Mogadishu wants the northern territory to be part of a single Somali state.

Since declaring its independence, Somaliland has enjoyed relative peace in contrast to the rest of Somalia, which has been plagued by conflict.

It was the first time in 21 years that there had been formal, direct contact between the authorities in Mogadishu, and the Somaliland administration, which used to be a British colony, whereas southern Somalia was governed by Italy.

The two sides agreed the talks should continue and, in a declaration, they called on their respective presidents to meet as soon as possible — this could be as early as next week in Dubai, according to the BBC.

They also called on the international community to help provide experts on legal, economic and security matters.

Significantly, they’ve also agreed to co-operate in the fight against terrorism and piracy.

Somaliland agreed to enter into the talks during a February meeting in London, when 40 global leaders met to tackle piracy, terrorism and political instability in Somalia.

But its administration says its priority is to remain separate from the rest of Somalia — and wants Mogadishu to recognise its independence.