The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edmondo Cirielli, has concluded a joint mission to Nouakchott together with the Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci. Following the recent visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, and the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, Mauritania confirms its role as a key regional partner for Italy and the European Union.
In addition to being among the new priority countries for Italian Development Cooperation, Mauritania has, since 2025, been included among the focus countries of the Mattei Plan, also in light of its strategic role in regional stability and the management of migration flows. The Italian Cooperation portfolio in the country includes active bilateral initiatives worth approximately EUR 21.5 million, rising to over EUR 25.8 million when regional programmes are also taken into account. Activities focus primarily on food security, climate resilience, rural development, healthcare and natural resource management.
During the visit, the Italian delegation was received by the President of the Republic, Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, and the Minister of Health, Tiam Tijani. The meetings provided an opportunity to explore new potential initiatives in both the economic sphere and development cooperation. In particular, strengthening the Mauritanian healthcare system represents one of the most visible and strategic areas of Italian Cooperation’s engagement in the country: collaboration between the San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, the Institute for University Cooperation (ICU), and the Centre National de Cardiologie (CNC) in Nouakchott now constitutes the cornerstone of this effort.
