Minister of Foreign Affairs Returns from Mali

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Mauritanians Abroad, Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, returned, on Saturday, to the capital from Bamako after a two-day visit at the invitation of his Malian counterpart, Mr. Abdoulaye Diop.

During the visit, the Minister met with the Acting President, Mr. Assimi Goita, the Prime Minister, Mr. Choguel Maiga, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Abdoulaye Diop; as well as with Mr. El-Ghassim Wane, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, and head of the MINUSMA mission.

The talks with the President of the transition focused on various aspects of the existing cooperation between the two countries and the means to strengthen Mauritania’s solidarity with Mali, its readiness to support anything that could stimulate stability and peace in Mali.

They also discussed the determination of His Excellency President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani and the Mauritanian government to accompany the transition period and support Mali until its return to a normal situation.

The meeting also focused on the conditions of the Mauritanian community in Mali, and the Minister expressed to the Malian President all the importance that the President of the Republic attaches to this community.

During a meeting with the Prime Minister and the head of the United Nations mission, the transition process, the agenda to which it is committed and the necessary support from the international community were discussed.

The foreign ministers of the two countries and the delegations accompanying them discussed several subjects, including Mauritania’s affirmation of the privileged relations that exist between the two countries and the strength of the bonds of friendship and solidarity between them.

The conditions of the community and the holding of the High Joint Commission were also among the items on the agenda.

The minister expressed Mauritania’s readiness to play any role requested of it, whether in the transition phase or in the implementation of the terms of the peace agreement. Means of strengthening relations within the framework of the Organization of the G-5 Sahel countries were also discussed.