Throughout the 1960s, Mauritania's main pro-French foreign policy[2] objective was preserving its independence in the face of Moroccan irredentism.

[3] Through the early 1970s,[3] Mauritania continued to play the role of bridge between the Maghrib and sub-Saharan Africa.

[4] Since late 1980s, Mauritania cultivated ties[5] with Turkey as a possible source of aid[6] and investment.

Turkey, in return, has provided it with substantial amounts of economic aid[6] and through TIKA funded the construction of hospitals, schools, power plants and roads.

[2] Trade volume between the two countries was 245 million USD in 2019.