A delegation from the European Union held on Friday, in Nouakchott, talks with the Mauritanian government devoted to the issue of clandestine immigration, in circumstances where this phenomenon has been on the rise in the last few years. Immigrants cross the Atlantic Ocean, off the Mauritanian coast, towards Spain.
The delegation comprises Ylva Johansson, the European commissioner for Home Affairs, Spanish Minister of the interior, and other European security figures.
The European delegation held a work meeting with Mauritanian minister of the interior and decentralization, Mohamed Salem O. Merzoug accompanied by some collaborators from the Ministry of Interior.
This meeting was suspended to allow the delegation to go to the presidency to meet the president of the republic, Mohamed O. Cheikh Ghazouani.
The European delegation is due to meet with prime minister, Mohamed O. Bilal before holding a press conference, in which the result of the meetings would be announced.
According to European sources, the objective of these meetings is to develop and strengthen the management of the clandestine immigration dossier in collaboration with Mauritania, which is considered as an important and efficient partner.
The same source adds that Mauritania hosts a big number of immigrants and refugees and it is also considered as a transit point for people wishing to go to the Canary Islands.
The source said that during the meeting, the European delegation would grant logistical and financial support from the European Union to Mauritania to improve the level of cooperation in the fight of clandestine immigration.
Since the outbreak of war in Libya and the increase of violence in the Sahel Region, illegal immigration has dramatically increased off the Mauritanian coast.
Mauritanian authorities have thwarted many attempts of illegal immigration, on makeshift boats coming from African countries.
A significant number of immigrants have, however, managed to reach the Canary Islands, which has led European countries to reinforce their cooperation with countries where immigrants come from and transit countries, such as Mauritania, in an attempt to limit the activities of smuggling networks.
