Foreign Minister Holds Talks With U.S. Congressional Delegation

On July 25 in Nouakchott,
Mr. Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Mauritanians Abroad, received a delegation from the U.S. Congress. The delegation included Representative Austin Scott, Representative Salud Carbajal, a member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, and Representative Jimmy Panetta, a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means. The visit is part of a working mission to Mauritania aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
At the outset of the meeting, the Minister welcomed the delegation, noting that the visit reflects the strength of Mauritanian-American relations and demonstrates the shared commitment of both countries to elevating their strategic partnership. He also praised the important role played by the U.S. Congress in supporting bilateral cooperation.
The Minister emphasized that, despite being located in a region facing growing security challenges, Mauritania has succeeded in preserving its security and stability thanks to the enlightened leadership of His Excellency President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, whose vision is based on integrating security, development, and good governance.
He stressed that Mauritania’s stability constitutes a cornerstone for the stability of the Sahel and West African regions.
The Minister explained that Mauritania pursues a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism and extremism by combining effective security measures, local development, stronger state presence, and enhanced trust between citizens and public institutions. This approach, he said, has made Mauritania a reliable partner for the United States in efforts to promote security and stability across the Sahel.
He also praised the existing cooperation between the two countries in the areas of military training, capacity building, and the exchange of expertise. He expressed Mauritania’s aspiration to expand this cooperation to include maritime security, border security, cybersecurity, the use of modern technologies for border surveillance, port protection, and efforts to combat illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and organized crime.
On the economic front, the Minister highlighted Mauritania’s promising investment opportunities, particularly in natural gas, strategic minerals, and renewable energy. He affirmed that, under the leadership of President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, the country has entered a new phase of economic development that offers broad prospects for American investors and companies.
In this context, he welcomed the recent agreement between Mauritania and the United States on critical minerals, as well as GE Vernova’s contribution to the N’Diago power plant project. He expressed Mauritania’s desire to expand U.S. investment, strengthen trade, promote technology and expertise transfer, and create employment opportunities.
The Minister reaffirmed that Mauritania pursues a balanced foreign policy based on dialogue and respect for international law and regards the United States as a long-term strategic partner.
He expressed hope that the U.S. Congress would continue supporting efforts to strengthen military and economic cooperation, finance major development projects, and expand collaboration in energy, minerals, infrastructure, education, training, and technology transfer, thereby contributing to greater security, stability, and development in both countries and across the region.
The Minister noted that Mauritania and the United States share a common vision centered on security, stability, and economic prosperity. He expressed confidence that deepening this partnership would serve the mutual interests of both nations and contribute to building a safer, more stable, and more attractive region for investment.
For their part, the members of the U.S. congressional delegation expressed their sincere appreciation for the warm welcome and generous hospitality they received. They praised Mauritania’s security and stability, as well as the country’s promising economic and investment opportunities.
They also commended Mauritania’s efforts to combat terrorism and organized crime and its important role in promoting security and stability throughout the Sahel and West Africa. They emphasized the importance of maintaining close coordination and cooperation between the two countries in these areas.
The delegation members further expressed their interest in strengthening economic cooperation and investment and affirmed their readiness to support efforts aimed at deepening the Mauritanian-American partnership in a manner that advances the shared interests of both countries and promotes development, stability, and prosperity.