Brussels, 7 March 2024
Today, the European Union is strengthening the cooperation between EU and Mauritania by launching a migration partnership and dialogue. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson together with the Mauritanian Minister of Interior and Decentralisation, Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine, have signed a Joint Declaration launching an EU-Mauritania migration partnership.
The Commissioner will travel to Nouakchott, in a Team Europe approach, together with the Spanish Minister of Interior of Spain, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and from the Belgian Presidency of the Council, State Secretary for Asylum and Migration of Belgium, Nicole de Moor. On this occasion, the Commissioner will meet Mauritanian President, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.
The launch of the partnership follows President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to the country in February, when the President announced mobilisation of EUR 210 million for Mauritania. As President von der Leyen said, the European Union and Mauritania must step up create more opportunities for young people. The funding will support migration management including the fight against migrant smuggling, as well as promote security and stability, humanitarian aid for refugees and support to host communities. It will also support Global Gateway initiatives, including investments, infrastructures and job creations primarily in the field of energy.
This migration partnership with Mauritania addresses cooperation based on solidarity, shared responsibility, and respect for human and fundamental rights. It is based on five pillars:
- Creating job opportunities: reinforcing access to vocational training, access to financing for enterprises, improving skills and competencies for young Mauritanians, particularly women.
- Protection and asylum: supporting Mauritanian efforts to address the arrival of refugees, from reception capacity protecting the most vulnerable.
- Promoting legal migration: by encouraging mobility, including of students, researchers and entrepreneurs. To further explore reinforcing the circular mobility, access to the EU job market for Mauritanians living in Europe, as well as supporting their integration.
- Reinforcing cooperation to prevent irregular migration: the aim is to fight against migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings, protecting victims. This will be done through joint investigations, reinforced security and operational cooperation. Strengthened cooperation on return and readmission concerning Mauritanians irregularly staying in the EU, respecting their rights and dignity.
- Strengthening border management: increasing cooperation on search and rescue operations and strengthening the capacities of border management authorities, also with a reinforced cooperation with Frontex – particularly through training and equipment.
Next steps
The Commission will work together with Mauritanian counterparts to implement the Joint Declaration. The EU and Mauritania will set up an Action Plan to ensure coordination and guide operational cooperation under the Joint Declaration.
Background
Mauritania is a strategic partner for the EU. The EU-Mauritania overall partnership has been strengthened over the past years. This is a solid partnership covering all aspects of investments, climate, youth and socio-economic development. It is based on political dialogue, economic and trade relations, and cooperation covering many areas including migration.
In October 2023, Vice-President Margaritis Schinas also travelled to strengthen the partnership between Mauritania and the European Union based on political dialogue, economic and trade relations and cooperation. This was done as part of a Team Europe approach to strengthen the long-standing cooperation with Mauritania.
For More Information
Joint Declaration: EU-Mauritania
Press statement by the President in Mauritania (europa.eu)
International affairs – European Commission (europa.eu)
Africa – European Commission (europa.eu)
Delegation of the European Union to Mauritania
Quotes
Today’s signing of an EU Joint Declaration with Mauritania is a follow-up to the recent important visit of Commission President von der Leyen and Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez to this strategic partner in the Sahel region. This EU Joint Declaration with Mauritania is about strengthening our comprehensive migration partnership and building economic opportunities. It will let us step up our joint efforts to fight migrant smugglers and save lives as part of our Global Alliance. On this, Mauritania has done already excellent work in disrupting the smugglers business model. The presence today of the Spanish Government and the Belgian Presidency shows the strong and united commitment on the EU side. When I was here in 2020, I visited Nouadhibou. There I saw the boats that are used for attempts to reach the Canary Islands. I say attempts, because this 800 kilometers route has the most fatalities, the most tragedies. Mauritania is doing an excellent job in sheltering refugees from neighbouring conflicts.”