NATO is prepared to step up efforts to help Mauritanian forces combat terrorism

Mauritanian Defense Minister Hanana Ould Sidimet with NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday. 

At a presser, Geoană said “Mauritania is a valued partner” and allies are “determined to step up our partnership further, including to strengthen Mauritania's forces in the fight against terrorism." 

The U.S. Department of State says Mauritania has not sustained a terrorist attack on its soil since 2011 despite extremism-fueled violence in the Sahel and neighboring Mali. 

Mauritania joined NATO in 1995. The multinational defense organization says their partnership has grown significantly since then with progress made in a variety of areas including special operations forces, maritime security intelligence and military education. 

At the meeting, Geoană stressed the importance of NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue – a partnership forum committed to security and stability in the Mediterranean region that also seeks to promote good relations and understanding among member nations. Current members include Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia.

A new report commissioned by NATO urges its allies to agree to a set of measures to strengthen its alliance with its Mediterranean partners ahead of the NATO summit in Washington this July.