The Philippines has opened its first honorary consulate in Mauritania, bringing hopes for expanded bilateral ties with the African state.
The consulate, located in Nouakchott, the capital and largest city of Mauritania, was inaugurated on November 4.
It would be headed by Honorary Consul Mohamed Ali Deyahi.
“Our relations with Mauritania are fairly new. Next year, we will observe the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties,” said Ambassador Leslie Baja, the Philippines’ non-resident envoy to Mauritania, during the inauguration.
“With the opening of this honorary consulate, we hope to expand these ties to include economic, agriculture, and fisheries, among others,” he added.
The consulate would directly provide Filipinos living and working in the African state easier access to consular services, Baja said in a statement on Saturday.
The two nations established formal diplomatic relations on Sept. 30, 2013.
From just about 12 Filipinos living in Mauritania prior to the pandemic, they are now 35 as of November, most of whom are working in the fishing sector, copper mines, and salons.
Baja thanked Mauritania for the kind treatment Filipinos are receiving, relaying his optimism that “through them, we can build a bridge that will strengthen the link” between the two countries.
Source: Philippines News Agency
