During a joint press conference, Mr. Nassr Bourita pointed out that Mauritania is a key player in the Royal Initiative aimed at promoting Sahel countries' access to the Atlantic Ocean.

"His Majesty the King considers that Mauritania has its rightful place and importance in the Royal Initiative to promote access to the Atlantic Ocean for Sahel countries,"

After highlighting the special nature of the Mauritanian Foreign Minister's visit to Morocco on the instructions of His Excellency the Mauritanian president, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani, Bourita stressed the importance of relations between the two countries, describing them as "special and long-standing, dictated by geography, blood ties and neighborliness".

In this regard, the Minister highlighted the special importance HM the King attaches to Moroccan-Mauritanian relations, as well as the Sovereign's interest in their development at all levels, adding that the consolidation of bilateral relations has always been at the heart of the Royal High Directions in view of the exceptional ties uniting the two countries.

Mr. Nasser Bourita referred to the last telephone conversation between HM the King and His Excellency the Mauritanian president, during which the importance and particularity of bilateral relations were reaffirmed, as well as the high esteem the Sovereign has for president Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani and for his role both in promoting stability and development in Mauritania and at regional level, establishing his country as a hub of stability in the Sahel and West Africa.

The Minister noted in this respect that the mechanisms of bilateral relations are working positively, as demonstrated by the holding in March 2022 of the Morocco-Mauritanian High Joint Commission, whose proceedings culminated in the signing of several agreements and achieved important results, highlighting His Majesty the King's ambition to see Morocco-Mauritanian relations take on their full scope, given the importance of long-standing, human and neighborly ties.

He pointed out that the talks with his Mauritanian counterpart, which focused on the regional situation and issues, were an opportunity to reaffirm and welcome the positive dynamic of Mauritanian diplomacy, thanks to the role of His Excellency the Mauritanian president, his credibility and the confidence he inspires in all partners, stressing that Mauritania is now an important player in regional stability.

On the other hand, he noted that Mauritanian students present in Morocco occupy first place in terms of numbers and scholarships awarded, a fact which confirms the enduring human links between the two peoples.

On the economic front, Mr. Nasser Bourita underlined the great development of bilateral relations, with Morocco being Mauritania's leading trading partner on the continent, and the leading African investor in Mauritania, stressing the ambition of His Majesty the King and His Excellency the Mauritanian president to raise them to strategic levels, so as to make them an example to follow in terms of neighborly relations between two countries endowed with all the assets enabling them to design an inspiring model of cooperation.

the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Mr. Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, pointed out that Morocco-Mauritania relations are set for a promising future,
the Mauritanian minister added that their talks focused on the latest developments at Arab, African and Islamic levels, as well as on some challenges inherent in the international situation.

In this context, Mauritania's top diplomat underlined the convergence of views between the two parties on the issues discussed.

Mr. Ould Merzoug also affirmed that Moroccan-Mauritanian relations are founded on solid foundations and ties of blood and religion, explaining that this predisposes them to further development.

The coordination between the Heads of State and the Ministries of the two countries demonstrates the interest in the well-being of the two brotherly peoples, he insisted.