The State Secretary for International Cooperation, Pilar Cancela Rodríguez, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with the Mauritanian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, to promote cooperation at a cultural, educational, scientific and technical level between the two countries.
By signing this agreement, the two countries undertake to revitalise the Joint Cultural Committee provided for in the 1989 Bilateral Cooperation, Cultural, Educational and Scientific Agreement and the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee established by the 1990 Basic Scientific and Technical Cooperation Agreement between the two countries.
The Joint Cultural Committee will meet in Nouakchott before the end of 2022, which will promote the presence of the Cervantes Institute in Mauritania, the teaching of the Spanish language in the African country and of Arabic in Spain, collaboration on the protection of the tangible and intangible heritage of Mauritania, and the interest in participating and promoting cultural life in Mauritania.
Furthermore, before the end of the year, the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee will meet in Madrid, which will include the study and identification of the sectors where there may be the greatest need for cooperation through programmes and projects at a scientific and technical level, and an assessment will be made and conclusions established to improve mutual cooperation.
The signing of this agreement, which will remain in force for three years, coincides with the work visit to Spain of the President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, and with the preliminary preparations for the upcoming cooperation trip to Mauritania and Senegal of the State secretary, Pilar Cancela.
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