The President of the Government of Spain argues for a comprehensive migration policy in Mauritania, Gambia and Senegal

Dakar (Senegal)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, today ended his tour of Africa in Senegal, during which he also visited Mauritania and Gambia with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation with these countries in order to take a comprehensive approach to tackling the migration challenge. During his visit to Senegal, the president was accompanied by the Minister for Economy, Trade and Enterprise, Carlos Cuerpo, and the Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz.

Pedro Sánchez met with Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal, with whom he agreed on the excellent state of bilateral relations between the two countries. In this regard, the Prime Minister expressed his appreciation to President Faye for his leadership at a regional level, especially in the Sahel. "This region is of the utmost strategic importance for Spain, and we want to contribute to its stability and prosperity," he stressed. He also highlighted President Faye's personal mediation role in ECOWAS with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

During the bilateral meeting, the two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest, including the strengthening of collaboration mechanisms in the areas of migration, security, economic and development cooperation, as reflected in the Joint Declaration that has been adopted.

A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on circular migration has also been signed to expand and improve on the existing one, with the intention of incorporating new activity sectors and including training and capacity building for Senegalese workers moving to Spain. Pedro Sánchez stressed that recruitment at source and orderly migration "is in the interests of all of us, it protects us against those who make a business out of irregular migration and against those who use irregular migration as an excuse to spread hatred and xenophobia".

Meeting between the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the President of the Republic of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, at the Presidential Palace in Dakar | Pool Moncloa / Fernando Calvo

In this regard, the President of the Government reiterated the importance of projects such as 'Tierra Firme', which he saw first-hand at the Cervantes Institute in Dakar, aimed at training young Senegalese victims of irregular migration.

The agreements signed between Spain and Senegal also include a declaration of intent in the area of security on the fight against organised crime. In this regard, both leaders agreed that security is essential to improve the well-being of all and highlighted the fact that the security forces and bodies of both countries have been working together for years, in an example of bilateral operational cooperation.

The President of the Government made a positive assessment of his tour of Africa and wished to recognise the great efforts of these three countries "to put a stop to the drama of thousands of people who risk their lives in search of a better future". In this regard, Pedro Sánchez stressed that the Spanish government is determined to contribute to this effort in three areas: firstly, by creating new opportunities for economic development; secondly, by supporting the fight against criminal organisations, with the reinforcement of the security capacities of these countries; and thirdly, by offering alternatives in the framework of regular and safe migration, such as the commitment to circular migration.

Meeting with Spanish companies in Dakar

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, attends the Spain-Senegal business breakfast | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

This morning, the President of the Government held a meeting with representatives of the different Spanish companies that carry out their business activities in Senegal, in various sectors in which Spain is a leader, such as telecommunications, infrastructures and engineering, the electricity sector and tourism, with the aim of listening to their concerns and interests, as well as their possible investment plans.

Pedro Sánchez stressed that an important aspect of the bilateral relationship between Spain and Senegal is precisely the presence of Spanish companies that support the economic development of Senegal.

In this regard, the President of the Government referred to the Africa Avanza Alliance', which was presented yesterday at the Cervantes Institute in Dakar, and which constitutes an opportunity to promote specific investments in Senegal and in the West African region as a whole in order to foster its economic and productive development. In this context, he gave as an example the new Hispasat project, which aims to provide satellite coverage and improve connectivity and digitalisation in Senegal. Also noteworthy is the signing of the agreement between COFIDES and FONSIS, which will facilitate the channelling of productive investments in Senegal. Pedro Sánchez also explained that he has noted the dynamism and the firm will of Spanish companies to develop and intensify their activity in the country.

Non official translation