Summary:

Between 26 and 28 May 2025, Mauritania held a series of meetings with international partners to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties.  

On 26 May, Mauritania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Mauritanians Abroad, Mohamed Salem Ould Merzouk, held talks with several ambassadors to Mauritania, such as Russia’s Boris Zelko, Morocco’s Hamid Chabar, and Iran’s Javad Abou. The meetings focused on how to enhance Mauritania’s bilateral relations with these countries and address mutual concerns.  

The minister has also received a delegation from the Development Committee of the European Parliament headed by Hildegard Pintel. The parties discussed ways in which Mauritania and the EU can enhance bilateral relations and advance common interests. 

On the same day, Mauritania’s Minister of Interior, Decentralization, and Local Development, Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed El Amine, held a meeting with Senegal’s Ambassador to Mauritania, Mr. El Hadj Mekt Sy, where they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed prospects for strengthening them. 

In terms of economic agreements and trade relations, Mauritania has also strengthened its ties through several new partnerships. According to the New Arab news website, Mauritania expressed an initial approval to grant Algeria five fishing licenses in its territorial waters in the Atlantic Ocean. Bilateral cooperation between the two countries has produced several agreements in commercial and industrial projects which were unveiled on the sidelines of the 7th Algerian Products Fair in Nouakchott.  

On 28 May, Mauritania and Egypt signed 13 agreements and MOUs in various fields such as fishing and aquaculture, media, and higher education. On the same day, Mauritania further enhanced relations with China by signing a financing agreement for the installation of food preservation and storage units, which aims to develop Mauritania’s food security and crisis response. 

Outlook: 

With a series of diplomatic meetings and the signing of multiple agreements, Mauritania is advancing its strategy to position itself as a new international hub for economic and trade partnerships. Recent diplomacy points to a growing openness and willingness to entertain investment and influence from international partners in exchange for the prospects of development and economic growth. 

The engagements with international and regional diplomats reflect Mauritania’s geopolitical vision, which aims to modernize key sectors such as education, manufacturing, healthcare, fisheries among others, to attract regional and international investment and enhance its economic landscape. 

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