Tajani and Piantedosi's mission to Africa: first stop in Mauritania to strengthen regional cooperation and security.

It left today from Nouakchott, capital of the Mauritania, the joint mission of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, first stage of an important institutional journey in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In the country, considered a priority for the Italian Cooperation, the two Ministers will meet the Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Diay, Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug and Interior Minister Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine.

During the visit, Tajani and Piantedosi will officially inaugurate the new Italian Embassy in Nouakchott, opened in 2024 to relaunch bilateral relations with Mauritania.

Over the last ten years, Italy has strengthened its diplomatic presence on the African continent by opening new embassies in Niger, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali and Mauritania, with the aim of consolidating political, economic and security relations with the countries of the region.

The mission, which will continue in Senegal e Niger, testifies to the growing centrality of Africa in the strategies of the Italian Government.

La Mauritania plays a crucial role in the stability and security of the Sahel, in addition to representing a political and economic partner of growing interest for Italy and for the European Union.

The main objectives of the mission include the strengthening the institutional partnership, the socio-economic development, fight against jihadist terrorism and contrast to illicit traffic of weapons, drugs and human beings.

The trip also fits into the framework of the Mattei plan for Africa, which from 2025 will also include Mauritania and Senegal among the new priority countries.

The programme aims to promote cooperation based on a equal approach, promoting sustainable growth and the creation of new opportunities for both shores of the Mediterranean.

The mission also includes a Business Forum in Dakar, aimed at relaunching the Italian economic presence in West Africa, where more than 100,000 people already operate 170 Italian companies active in strategic sectors.

A further aspect of the mission concerns the support for the presence of Italian Catholic missionaries in the African continent. Tajani will meet the Bishop of Nouakchott Archbishop of Dakar and Niamey, as a testimony to the Italian commitment to the interreligious dialogue , protection of Christian communities, in continuity with the Conference of Italian Missionaries of 2023 and the meeting organized on the sidelines of the G7 in Pescara.

With this mission, the Italian Government reaffirms its desire to consolidate its diplomatic, economic and cultural presence in Africa, promoting security, development and mutual cooperation.