NOUAKCHOTT/CAIRO, May 27 (MENA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates Badr Abdelatty led Tuesday the Egyptian side participating in the second session of the Egyptian-Mauritanian Joint Committee.

The Mauritanian side was headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Mauritanians Abroad Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug.

The discussions reflected the two countries' keenness to maintain mechanisms of consultation, coordination, and joint cooperation, which would contribute to strengthening bilateral relations and elevating them to broader horizons.

The committee signed 13 agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two sides in the areas of bilateral investment relations, labor, higher education, social affairs, marine fisheries and aquaculture, water resources and irrigation, capacity building, civil protection, territorial administration, civil documentation, Islamic affairs and endowments, culture, media, youth and sports.

It was agreed to maintain the regularity of the Egyptian-Mauritanian Joint Committee meetings, and to capitalize on the momentum generated by the second session in Nouakchott.

In the same context, Abdelatty welcomed the convening of the joint economic forum between businessmen from Egypt and Mauritania, which he described as an important platform for strengthening ties between the public and private sectors in both countries and building effective investment and trade partnerships that serve the interests of the peoples of both countries.

He highlighted the promising opportunities for investment and trade exchange, especially in the sectors of agriculture, fisheries, mining, energy, transportation, and logistics.

The joint committee's work also addressed a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest, most notably the Palestinian issue and the situation in the Gaza Strip.

The committee also tackled a number of issues, including the latest developments in Libya and Sudan, the situation in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel, and counterterrorism efforts. (MENA)
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