Mauritania and Spain inaugurated a new chapter in their bilateral relations during a high-level summit held in Nouakchott, signaling a shared commitment to deepening and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.
During the joint meeting, chaired by Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, both leaders expressed their determination to strengthen ties between their countries.
At a joint press conference, Sánchez described Spain’s relationship with Mauritania as “the most ambitious” among Spain’s bilateral partnerships, emphasising the significance of his visit with a high-level ministerial delegation.
“This strong representation reflects our firm intention to continue strengthening our ties and to extend cooperation into many other areas,” he said.
Sánchez outlined three major pillars of the strengthened partnership:
First, he highlighted the breadth of the cooperation agenda, moving beyond the traditional focus on fishing and development assistance. “Our relationship is growing in importance in areas such as the economy, business, migration, security, and culture,” he explained, noting the recent opening of a Cervantes Institute branch in Nouakchott and the deep historical ties between Mauritania and the Canary Islands.
Second, he welcomed the decision by both governments to elevate their economic partnership. Milestones include the creation of a Mauritania-Spain Business Council and the ratification of a Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness, and Cooperation. Sánchez also announced the conclusion of a business forum held that same day, which saw strong participation from Spanish companies.
Third, he emphasised the two countries’ “shared strategic vision” for addressing common challenges and leveraging joint opportunities across regions such as the Mediterranean, Southern Europe, the Sahel, the Maghreb, and the Atlantic. This strategic alignment, he said, is key to securing the well-being of both societies. He reaffirmed Mauritania’s pivotal role in regional stability—recognised by the European Union—and reiterated Spain’s support for this dynamic.
Addressing the issue of migration, Sánchez drew on Spain’s own experience in emigration and migrant reception, calling for collaboration with countries like Mauritania to ensure “safe, regular, and orderly migration that benefits both societies.”
President El Ghazouani recalled that the summit builds on the cooperation agreement signed two years ago, which frames collaboration in both the public and private sectors. He described relations with Spain as “excellent,” grounded in “historical ties and deep friendship between our peoples.”
According to Spain’s annual national security report, Mauritania became in 2024 the leading country of departure for irregular migrants to Spain, with over 25,000 departures—surpassing combined figures from Morocco and Algeria.
A total of 61,372 migrants reached Spain via sea routes that year, a new record exceeding that of 2018, and representing a 10.3% increase from 2023.
President El Ghazouani expressed his gratitude to Spain for its “steadfast support,” both bilaterally and within the European Union and other international forums, applauding Madrid’s defense of “just causes and global security.”
He noted that this first high-level summit enabled both sides to tackle major shared challenges—particularly in security, development, migration, environment, and renewable energy—while welcoming the tangible results and new cooperation frameworks established during the meeting.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez arrived in Mauritania on Wednesday, 16 July, for a two-day official visit at the head of a major government and business delegation, according to Mauritanian media outlet Tawassoul. The visit was marked by the inaugural high-level bilateral summit and an economic forum focused on agribusiness, energy, tourism, and infrastructure, further building on the dialogue initiated in recent months.
AC/lb/as/APA