(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 24 - ANSA has signed a new partnership deal with Mauritania agency AMI as it expands its international collaboration network after similar recent deals with Dutch agency ANP, India's PTI, Argentina's TELAM, Uruguay's Uypress, Filipino press agency PNA, Tanjug of Serbia, Moldovan agency Moldpres and Vietnamese agency VTA.
    Like the others, the accord with the Nouakchott-based agency envisages an exchange of content and forging an enriched offering of international news for clients as well as developing joint commercial offers to boost the communication of institutions and businesses in their respective countries.
    Italian Ambassador to Marocco and Mauritania, attending the signing via videolink, stressed how the agreement is a great step forward between the two countries.
    "This is a crucial moment in the history of relations between Mauritania and Italy," he said.
    "Ever since I was installed I have worked to develop ties between our two countries; we consider Mauritania an important partner in the region, also for the fundamental role it plays in the stability of the area, and strong cooperation is necessary between the two press agencies ANSA and AMI, also within the framework of collaboration between Rome and Nouakchott".
    Mauritanian Ambassador to Italy Zeineb Ely Salem, present at the signing at ANSA HQ in Rome, said "information is vital and the accord signed today boosts relations between Mauritania and Italy. As an embassy we are ready to support this cooperation that we deem decidedly important." AMI Director General Mohamed Fall Oumeir Beye stressed that the accord was the first agreement of its kind between the the Agence Mauritanienne d'Information and ANSA, saying "this will enable both agencies to benefit from mutual experience in their respective working fields; thanks to this accord, both parties will be able to benefit from the information services provided by each partner in their respective countries and in the other geographic zones covered by their journalists".
    He also said the deal would enhance the communication of businesses and institutions in both countries, and stressed its importance for bilateral cooperation and cooperation "between our country and the ambits in which Italy plays a leading role, such as the European Union, the 5+5 Dialogue, and the Sahel Alliance".
    ANSA Managing Director Stefano De Alessandri said "I'm happy to sign this accord through which we will start the exchange of news on Italy and Mauritania which will help improve the mutual knowledge of our two countries," and added "I consider this accord an important starting point for substantive collaboration which I hope will soon produce communication projects in support of businesses and institutions in the two countries". (ANSA).