Spain boosts cooperation with ‘key partner’ Mauritania on migration, security

MADRID – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez travelled to Mauritania with six of his ministers on Wednesday to strengthen cooperation on migration and regional security in a visit marking his third trip to the West African country in 18 months.

Sánchez met with President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani in Nouakchott and took part in the first plenary session of the High-Level Mauritania-Spain Summit. At a joint press conference, Sánchez praised Mauritania’s “vital role in the region?”

Topping the agenda was migration, for which Sanchez said Mauritania is  a “key partner” for Spain and the EU in managing migration flows. While irregular arrivals to Spain via the Atlantic route dropped by 35% in 2023, Mauritania remains the main departure point to the Canary Islands, with over 25,000 departures recorded that year, according to Spain’s National Security Report.

Spain also seeks to intensify business, trade and investment relations with the African country to promote " inclusive, sustainable and lasting economic growth," officials said.

Security cooperation, such as countering terrorism in the Sahel and fighting transnational criminal networks working in the region, were also cited as being among Madrid’s priorities.

Last year, Madri signed new agreements with Mauritania, Gambia and Senegal to strengthen circular migration schemes, develop legal migration pathways and facilitate cooperation with origin countries.