(Adnkronos) – Italy’s deputy foreign minister Edmondo Cirielli and health minister Orazio Schillaci wrapped up a visit to Mauritania which focused on exploring new economic and development aid cooperation and on the country’s strategic role in regional stability and managing migration to Europe, a foreign ministry statement said Wednesday.
During the visit, the Italian delegation was received by Mauritania’s president Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, foreign minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, and health minister Tiam Tijani, the statement said.
Strengthening Mauritania’s healthcare system is “one of the most visible and strategic areas” of Italy’s overseas aid cooperation with the country,” the statement noted.
“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,” said the statement.
Italy’s current bilateral aid initiatives in Mauritania are worth around 21.5 million euros (25.8 million euros when regional programmes are also taken into account), according to the statement.
Activities focus primarily on food security, climate resilience, rural development, healthcare and natural resource management.
Mauritania has, since 2025, been a key country for Italy’s 5.5 billion euro Mattei Plan to accelerate Africa’s economic development and curb illegal immigration to Europe. The blueprint centres on five main areas: education and training; agriculture; health; water; and energy.
