Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez is on a three-day tour of West Africa to reinforce bilateral relations with Mauritania, Gambia, and Senegal, from which the majority of migrant boats reaching the Canary Islands are being launched.
ADVERTISEMENTSpain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a series of agreements with the West African nation of Mauritania on Tuesday to stem a surge in migrants making the dangerous Atlantic journey to the Canary Islands.
Sánchez said Spain will introduce its circular migration program to Mauritania and renew cooperation between the two nations' security forces to combat human trafficking.
“Despite the rhetoric that is growing in Europe, migration is not a problem,” he said, openly recognising the need for migrant workers in Spain's ageing society. “It is a need that involves certain problems, and for this we must push formulas that allow us to manage the phenomenon of migration in a humane, safe and orderly way, to benefit our respective societies.”
He added that migration is a matter of "moral principles, solidarity and dignity", and therefore does not intend to halt migration altogether, but instead seeks to regulate it.
The prime minister expressed gratitude to the government of Mauritania "for its efforts in combating irregular migration and its cooperation in the fight against human trafficking networks."
Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani thanked Sánchez, who had already visited Mauritania twice this year, for Spain's “consistent commitment to our country's development.”
Sanchez's visit to Mauritania is part of a three-day tour of West Africa, with his next stops being Gambia and Senegal.
These three countries are where the majority of migrant boats depart to make the dangerous Atlantic journey to the Canary Islands.
A stepping stone to reach continental Europe
The Canary Islands, located close to the African coast and used as a stepping stone for migrants and refugees trying to reach Europe — has seen more than 22,000 people land on its shores since January, more than double the number of irregular arrivals for the same period last year, according to Spain’s Interior Ministry.
Among those are youth seeking better jobs abroad, but also thousands of Malian refugees fleeing violence and instability in the Sahel region.
Seen as a beacon of stability, Mauritania hosts about 200,000 Malian refugees on its border.
Spanish authorities anticipate more arrivals in the coming weeks when sailing conditions between West Africa and the archipelago are more favourable.