Egyptian Prime Minster Ibrahim Mahlab met with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel-Aziz and stressed the importance of boosting bilateral strategic ties between the two countries.

The meeting took place at a conference in Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday evening.

Mahlab arrived in the country on Monday to attend the first international conference on Africa’s fight against Ebola.

During their talk, Mahlab said that Egypt would support Mauritania with economics, trade and health and that Egypt is keen to help the country by offering its expertise in the fight against Ebola.

Egyptian research centres are currently working on the production of a new drug to fight Ebola, he added.

Mahlab thanked the Mauritanian president for his support for Egypt's bid for a seat on the Peace and Security Council, and stressed their joint efforts to fight terrorism.

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) is established by the African Union for the maintenance of continental peace and security. The PSC has 15 members elected by the African Union council on regional basis.

Mahlab has invited the presidents of Equatorial Guinea and Togo, the vice president of Liberia, and the prime minister of Guinea, to attend the inauguration of the New Suez Canal on 6 August. 

During his visit, Mahlab also gave a speech concerning the importance of fighting Ebola and Egypt's medical support in the recovery of the disease.

Egypt has recently been making diplomatic efforts to enhance its African relations, asserting its support and commitment to meet Africa’s 2063 agenda.

Equatorial Guinea is the host of major conferences and continues to have a role in the regional affairs.  

Equatorial Guinea, located in central Africa, is one of the smallest countries in Africa consisting of a mainland territory and five inhabited islands with a population of 778,061 people.

The country is also known for its discovery of large offshore oil reserves and has become Sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil exporter.