Italy, Luxembourg and United States launch NATO Trust Fund with Mauritania
A NATO Trust Fund for Mauritania has been launched by the NATO Management and Supply Agency (NAMSA), under the leadership of Italy, with financial contributions from the governments of Italy, Luxembourg and the United States, as well as with the active participation of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
Contribution to the Trust Fund totaling EUR 2,250,000 for an 18-month period will help the Government of Mauritania to destroy obsolete and unserviceable munitions, build adequate storage sites for remaining munitions, provide ammunition depot management training, enhance specialised personnel skills and provide training for the reintegration of military personnel returning to civilian life. This Trust Fund will therefore be of direct benefit to the safety and security of the civilian population of Mauritania, also reducing the risk of theft of ammunition by terrorist groups.
EUR 1,465,000 for this Trust Fund project has already been pledged by Italy, Luxembourg, and the United States. The Mauritania Trust Fund, which relies on contributions of NATO and partner countries, is a concrete example of the active role being played by Mauritania in the political and practical dimensions of NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue.
The finalisation of the modalities of the financial contribution to the NATO Trust Fund for Mauritania follows the 25 January 2010 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the NATO Maintenance and Supply Organization (NAMSO) and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, necessary for the development of this trust fund.