Today, the European Union is strengthening cooperation between the EU and Mauritania by launching a migration partnership and dialogue. Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, together with the Mauritanian Minister of Interior and Decentralisation Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine, have signed a Joint Declaration launching an EU-Mauritania migration partnership.
Mauritania and the European Union have a strong partnership that covers various aspects such as investments, climate, youth, and socio-economic development. The partnership has been strengthened over the past years and is based on political dialogue, economic and trade relations, and cooperation on several fronts, including migration.
In October 2023, Vice-President Margaritis Schinas visited Mauritania to enhance further the partnership between the country and the European Union. This was part of the Team Europe initiative to strengthen cooperation with Mauritania. The visit focused on political dialogue, economic and trade relations, and collaboration in several areas.
Commissioner Johansson, along with the Spanish Minister of Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and from the Belgian Presidency of the Council, State Secretary for Asylum and Migration of Belgium, Nicole de Moor, will visit Nouakchott in a Team Europe approach. On this occasion, the Commissioner will meet with the Mauritanian President, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.
The partnership launch follows President Ursula von der Leyen‘s visit to the country in February, where the President announced the mobilisation of EUR 210 million for Mauritania. As President von der Leyen stated, the European Union and Mauritania should work together to create more opportunities for young people. The funding will support migration management, including the fight against migrant smuggling, and promote security and stability, humanitarian aid for refugees, and support for host communities. It will also support Global Gateway initiatives, including investments, infrastructure, and job creation, primarily in energy.
This partnership with Mauritania focuses on five pillars: creating job opportunities, protection and asylum, promoting legal migration, reinforcing cooperation to prevent irregular migration, and strengthening cooperation on return and readmission. It aims to support young Mauritanians, address the arrival of refugees, encourage legal mobility, fight against migrant smuggling, and protect victims. It will increase cooperation on search and rescue operations, strengthen border management authorities’ capacities, and reinforce collaboration with Frontex – mainly through training and equipment.
“Today’s signing of an EU Joint Declaration with Mauritania is a follow-up to the recent important visit of Commission President von der Leyen and Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez to this strategic partner in the Sahel region. This EU Joint Declaration with Mauritania is about strengthening our comprehensive migration partnership and building economic opportunities. It will let us step up our joint efforts to fight migrant smugglers and save lives as part of our Global Alliance. On this, Mauritania has done already excellent work in disrupting the smugglers business model. The presence today of the Spanish Government and the Belgian Presidency shows the strong and united commitment on the EU side. When I was here in 2020, I visited Nouadhibou. There I saw the boats that are used for attempts to reach the Canary Islands. I say attempts, because this 800 kilometers route has the most fatalities, the most tragedies. Mauritania is doing an excellent job in sheltering refugees from neighbouring conflicts,” Commissioner Ylva Johansson stated.
The Commission will work together with Mauritanian counterparts to implement the Joint Declaration. The EU and Mauritania will create an Action Plan to ensure coordination and guide operational cooperation under the Joint Declaration.
