Mauritania’s Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug held talks over the weekend with a United States congressional delegation in Nouakchott on means to strengthen relations between the two countries.
Ould Merzoug highlighted Mauritania’s role in promoting stability in the Sahel and West Africa, attributing the country’s security to a comprehensive approach combining counter-terrorism measures, development and stronger state institutions.
He said Mauritania seeks to deepen cooperation with the US in areas including maritime security, border protection, cybersecurity, technology and the fight against organized crime, drug trafficking and illegal fishing. The official also pointed to investment opportunities in natural gas, strategic minerals and renewable energy, while welcoming recent cooperation with US companies and agreements in the critical minerals sector.
Members of the US delegation, including Representatives Austin Scott, Salud Carbajal and Jimmy Panetta, praised Mauritania’s stability, security efforts and economic potential, expressing their commitment to strengthening cooperation and supporting a broader strategic partnership between the two countries.
