PHILIPPINE NON-RESIDENT AMBASSADOR TO MAURITANIA MEETS THE NEWLY-APPOINTED FOREIGN MINISTER H.E. MOHAMED SALEM OULD MERZOUG

Ambassador Leslie J. Baja and Mauritanian Foreign Minister Dr. Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug

3 November 2022 – Philippine Non-Resident Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania H.E. Leslie J. Baja paid a courtesy call on H.E. Dr. Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, the newly-appointed Foreign Minister of Mauritania, during his second visit to Nouakchott.

During the call, the two officials underscored the friendly relations between the Philippines and Mauritania, as well as the need to move the relations forward by signing bilateral agreements, increasing people-to-people exchanges, and strengthening multilateral cooperation through mutual support in candidatures as well as in UN resolutions related on issues that are of mutual interest to the Philippines and Mauritania.

Ambassador Baja broached the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment of Political Consultations on Issues of Common Interest between the respective Foreign Ministries of the Philippines and Mauritania, and an Agreement on the Waiver of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic, Service, and Official Passports. Foreign Minister Merzoug welcomed these proposals and assured the Ambassador of Mauritania’s favorable response within the next few months.

Ambassador Baja also conveyed his appreciation to the people of Mauritania for the hospitality and kind treatment they have extended to Filipinos living and working in the country who serve as a bridge between the two countries.

The Philippines and Mauritania also reaffirmed their commitment to revitalize and strengthen their partnership leading up to the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2023.

Prior to the courtesy call, Ambassador Baja had meetings with H.E. Massar Cissoko, Acting Secretary General of the Mauritanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Fatimetou Talhata, Director of the Consular Department, and Mr. Adnane Cheibany, Director of the Asia-Pacific Department.

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