President of Republic Receives Mayor of Paris

On 3 February, in Nouakchott, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, the President of the Republic, received the Mayor of Paris, Ms. Anne Hidalgo, and her deputy, Mr. Arnaud Ngatcha.

Following the meeting, the Mayor of Paris made a statement to the Mauritanian news agency, in which she said she had been honored to be received by the President of the Republic, where they reviewed the excellent relations between France and Mauritania, as well as the cooperative relations between cities, particularly between the capitals of the two countries, in the presence of the President of the Nouakchott Region.

Here is the full text of the statement:

“Thank you, I am very honored to have been received today by the President of the Republic at the Presidential Palace for an audience during which we were able to discuss the important relations between France and Mauritania, of course, but also the important relations between our cities, our capitals, with the President of the Nouakchott region at my side, and I am also accompanied by my deputy for international affairs.

We were able to discuss the very important role of Mauritania, of course, throughout the region in Africa, and particularly in the Sahel. In this regard, we were able to present to the President the initiative we have taken with the mayors of the Sahel who are here in Nouakchott. The President of the Nouakchott region is in charge of this work; the relationship with the mayors of the Sahel, with whom we cooperate within the framework of the International Association of Francophone Mayors, of which I am President.

We also had the opportunity to discuss the wonderful concept of city diplomacy, which serves the diplomacy of states. In any case, our two countries and our two capitals are friends, and I believe that this was the main feature of the very, very pleasant exchange that took place during the audience granted by the President of the Republic.

Thank you very much.”