President Mohammed Sheikh Abdallah of Mauritania is expected to make his maiden visit to Banjul in two weeks time.

This was disclosed by Salek Ould Mohammed Lamin, the Mauritanian minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, yesterday, after meeting Vice-President Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy at her office at State House, Banjul.

Mr Lamin, who is in Banjul to chair the Joint Gambia-Mauritania Commission, told newsmen that his audience with the vice president provided him the opportunity to convey the best wishes from President Abdallah to President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh. He said he also assured the vice-president of President Abdallah's willingness to consolidate the strong ties that exist between the two countries [Mauritania and The Gambia].

According to him, since the two countries had a long standing excellent relationship, it is his wish to further strengthen the relationship.

Commenting on the ongoing Joint Gambia-Mauritania Commission, the Mauritanian diplomacy said the meeting centres on many areas, such as trade, education, transportation, and agriculture.

"We have passed the main agreement and we wish to work to implement it and to have the real content so that the bilateral cooperation will become more stronger," he concludes.