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As expected, Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, met with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on Thursday in Moscow. “This meeting is part of the continuous strategic collaboration initiated between His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God aid him, and President Vladimir Putin in March 2016,” stated a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad.

The two ministers «expressed contentment with the quality of their discussions and the active dialogue and collaboration that define Moroccan-Russian relations». They reaffirmed their mutual dedication to advancing these relations «to a more elevated stage, in accordance with the expectations and potential that exist between the two nations», the statement noted.

At the conclusion of their discussions, Bourita and Lavrov signed a memorandum of understanding to create a Russian-Moroccan working committee within their respective foreign ministries. This new entity will assess the bilateral relationship, suggest areas for high-impact collaboration, and oversee the execution of agreed-upon projects.

The two ministers also committed to sustaining frequent political discussions and overseeing collaborative progress on current initiatives to inject fresh momentum into the strategic relationship between Rabat and Moscow.

Locally, conversations addressed a range of shared concerns, such as the conditions in North Africa, the Sahel, and the Middle East.

In his initial statements, Bourita stated, “We regard Russia as a close and beloved partner. We perceive it as a significant player on the global scene and, most importantly, as a sincere and reliable negotiator.”

From his perspective, Sergey Lavrov emphasized that Russia placed “special importance on today’s discussions, considering the difficult international situation, particularly the complicated developments in North Africa.” He further stated that Russia was willing to assist in addressing regional crises “together with other concerned countries.”

This trip by Morocco’s foreign minister occurs during a pivotal moment, as Russia is currently leading the UN Security Council, which plans to approve a new resolution regarding the Sahara issue by the end of the month.