Morocco, Mauritania set to bolster economic ties

Morocco and Mauritania are willing to build on the current momentum to further bolster their economic ties, Foreign Ministers of the two countries said.

Morocco is determined to work together with Mauritania to foster economic ties to reflect the excellence of bilateral cooperation, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said following talks with his Mauritanian peer Ismaël Ould Cheikh Ahmed Tuesday in Rabat.

The two countries maintain regular political consultations on issues of common concern, Bourita said.

The Mauritanian minister recalled the phone call between the Moroccan King and Mauritanian president in November 2020. During the call the two heads of state discussed official visits.

“We will endeavor to organize these visits,” said Ould Cheikh Ahmed, highlighting the “longstanding ties” between the two countries.

He said 10,000 Mauritanians live in Morocco, including 2000 students.

Ould Cheikh Ahmed also laid the foundation stone for a new Mauritanian diplomatic compound stretching over 5000 square meters in Rabat.

The visit is held against the backdrop of tense relations with Algeria which unilaterally cut ties with Morocco and banned Moroccan aircrafts from crossing its airspace, in a hostile move that shows an intent to export a worsening crisis at home.

Morocco is also poised to develop ties with Mauritania after securing once and for all the Guerguarat border crossing where the Algerian-armed Polisario separatists used to practice banditry by blocking the road to commercial traffic.

Mauritania depends on Morocco for fresh produce supply and other vital goods.