Mauritania signed a €100 million ($103.6 million) agreement with the European Union on Thursday that aims to promote development and combat irregular migration. The agreement was signed in Nouakchott between Mauritanian Minister of Economy and Finance Sidi Ahmed Ould Abouh, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela.
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According to Ould Abouh, the funds will support development and social cohesion, enhance economic development, improve access to health, and address the root causes of migration. He emphasized the agreement’s purpose to further strengthen the institutions active in combating irregular migration while securing the rights of refugees and migrants.
Sikela highlighted that funding will emphasize enhancing green hydrogen to promote economic growth and job creation, thereby opening new chances for Mauritania and European investors.
The EU has recently shown increasing interest in Mauritania, especially as tensions have begun to surface in ties between Western countries and one or the other of the Sahel countries. The most important part of this route is the northern city of Nouadhibou; this city has turned into a point of processing for many African migrants who desire to cross into Europe.