The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, today visited Senegal and Mauritania with the aim of reinforcing the excellent bilateral relationship it has with the two countries, wherein they face significant shared challenges such as illegal immigration.
Albares, who arrived in Senegal from Morocco, focused the first part of his visit to Dakar on strengthening the bilateral relationship with meetings at the highest level. The minister was received in audience by the President of Senegal, Macky Sall, and held a working meeting with his counterpart, Ismaila Madior Fall.
The migration issue occupied most of the time of the institutional meetings. Spain and Senegal agreed to foster orderly and regular migration, and to make such migration another instrument in the relationship between the two countries.
Albares agreed with his Senegalese counterpart on the urgent need to strengthen the fight against mafias with initiatives such as that which enables the Spanish National Police and Guardia Civil to work together with their Senegalese colleagues to prevent the tragic deaths of people who are victims of these mafias.
The minister boarded the Spanish patrol boat docked in the port of Dakar to acknowledge the work of the crew, whose work is also supported by that of our troops, the Marfil Detachment, which ensures security in the area and whom he also had the opportunity to congratulate during his visit to the Senegalese capital.
He also reviewed the record trade figures with the Senegalese foreign minister. He advocated increasing these figures through greater support for Spanish investment and the establishment of new companies in the country. Albares made this request to his Senegalese counterpart after listening to Spanish entrepreneurs, who expressed their firm intention to contribute to the economic and social development of the country.
The Spanish minister highlighted the important role that Spain and Senegal play on a regional, continental and global scale. Our country holds the EU Presidency, in which Africa has played a key role; and Senegal has just won an African seat at the G20 through which Africa's voice will be heard in global governance.
Spanish Cooperation
Before ending his stay in Dakar, Minister Albares visited the Spanish Cooperation Office in that country and met with some of the Spanish aid workers who explained first-hand the work on the ground.
After his visit to Senegal, the minister travelled to Nouakchott, where his agenda focused on a meeting with his Mauritanian counterpart, Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug. They made an extensive review of the main issues of bilateral, economic, cultural and, especially, migratory cooperation relations.
Cooperation for development, which has grown exponentially in recent years, was also very present at this meeting due to its importance in ensuring Mauritania's stability and development. Spain reaffirmed its commitment in this area with both countries, which it considers important partners.