Russia, Mauritania should boost economic ties - Lavrov

NOUAKCHOTT. Feb 8 (Interfax) - Moscow and Nouakchott deem it necessary to enhance economic ties, especially direct contacts between business entities of the two countries, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said following a meeting with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani on Wednesday.

"We had a very interesting, substantive conversation with the Mauritanian president, with the participation of the foreign minister and aides to Mr. President. We focused primarily on the state of our bilateral relations. We agreed to celebrate worthily the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year. That period was full of intensive cooperation in various areas: in the trade and economic sphere, humanitarian, educational and, certainly, in the foreign policy field," Lavrov said.

"We have a common understanding of the need to boost economic ties, especially direct contacts between our business entities. In this context, Mauritanian economic operators are interested in active participation in the Russia-Africa business forum that will precede the second Russian-African summit scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg in late July," Lavrov added.

The minister noted that tangible bilateral engagement traditionally includes sea fishing, there is an agreement between the two countries, according to which Russian fishing seiners are operating in Mauritania's exclusive economic zone. "We thanked our friends for the unwavering positive attitude to this work and for the promise to continue creating favorable conditions for our fishermen in the future," Lavrov said.

"In addition, of course, we want to diversify our ties, extend them to other areas, primarily in the field of natural resources extraction, healthcare," he said.