Mauritanian Interior Minister Moukhtar Ould Ahmed Bouseif met with his Spanish counterpart, Fernando Grande Marlasca, on November 3, 2026, in Nouakchott. The meeting was part of a high-level official visit aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in security and combating irregular migration. The two ministers reviewed existing relations and explored new areas for collaboration.
Minister Bouseif outlined Mauritania's national approach to addressing irregular migration, which balances security, legal, humanitarian, and developmental aspects. He emphasized efforts to combat migrant smuggling networks and human trafficking, as well as enhancing border monitoring to prevent Mauritanian territory from being used as a transit point to Europe. Minister Marlasca acknowledged Mauritania's efforts in this area.
Marlasca described relations between Mauritania and Spain as "very distinguished" and emphasized that Spain views Mauritania as a strategic partner and ally. He called for diversifying cooperation areas beyond security to include economic and social aspects. This expansion aims to strengthen the bilateral partnership and open new avenues for joint collaboration.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Mauritanian Interior Ministry Secretary-General Abdourahman Ould Hassan and National Security Director-General Mohamed Ould Ahreitani. Spanish Ambassador to Nouakchott and members of the delegation accompanying Minister Marlasca were also present. The discussions highlighted the importance of continued coordination and consultation.
The two ministers expressed their commitment to further developing cooperation mechanisms across various sectors, serving the mutual interests of both countries. This commitment reflects a shared desire to enhance bilateral ties and address common challenges. The security situation in the region and migration trends were also discussed.
Mauritania and Spain have been working together on migration issues for several years. The visit by Minister Marlasca and his delegation underscores Spain's interest in deepening its partnership with Mauritania. The two countries have a shared goal of addressing the root causes of irregular migration.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue close collaboration on issues related to security and migration. Both sides recognized the importance of their partnership in tackling these challenges. Key areas of cooperation were identified, including joint efforts to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Key points
- Mauritania and Spain are strengthening their security cooperation to combat irregular migration.
- The two countries aim to expand their partnership beyond security to include economic and social aspects.
- Mauritania's national approach to migration balances security, legal, humanitarian, and developmental considerations.
