In the midst of an energy and food crisis, the EU and Mauritania want to strengthen their cooperation and their strategic partnership, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the Mauritanian President, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, stressed on Monday 21 November in a message delivered in front of the cameras on the occasion of Mr Michel’s first official visit to Nouakchott.
According to the Mauritanian president, the strategic partnership between the EU and his country is “based on respect, trust and our interest in converging on our respective interests”.
Beyond bilateral relations between the EU and Mauritania, which include “permanent dialogue on democracy and human rights”, Mr Ould Ghazouani cited “climate change and its effects and renewable energy” as areas for discussion in order to explore ways of strengthening the partnership.
“In the field of renewable energy, we have a huge potential”, he insisted, alongside the President of the European Council.
Charles Michel spoke of a “very fruitful meeting” and welcomed the “solid, even exemplary relations” with Mauritania, “a stable partner” in the Sahel - “a difficult region”. He said that both parties “have a common interest in a secure and prosperous Sahel region”.
At the bilateral level, Mr Michel welcomed the reforms launched by the Mauritanian government. Recalling that Mauritania benefits from a €125 million programme under the EU’s external budget, he mentioned “ongoing efforts to identify an additional €50 million for food security, agriculture, training and security, particularly on the border with Mali”.
He also mentioned an investment project in the completion of the Rosso Bridge (between Mauritania and Senegal), currently under construction and due to be delivered in the first half of 2024, as well as a joint interest in a high voltage line between Nouakchott and Kiffa. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)