Karachi, Following a joint news conference in Marrakech, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita highlighted the reinforcement and implementation of their strategic partnership agreements.
According to Embassy of The Russian Federation, the talks were centered on the execution of the accords made between King Mohammed VI of Morocco and President Vladimir Putin of Russia. The 2002 Declaration on strategic partnership and the 2016 Statement on an in-depth strategic partnership were reaffirmed as highly relevant. The ministers discussed refining their actions to effectively strengthen trade, economic, and investment ties across various sectors, including fuel and energy, digital technology, peaceful nuclear energy development, agriculture, and marine fisheries.
Cultural, educational, and humanitarian ties were also a key focus, with plans to convene an Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation early next year to translate these opportunities into practical steps. Minister Bourita had previously met with Russian Minister of Agriculture Dmitry Patrushev at the Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg.
In addition to the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum discussions, the bilateral meeting also covered a broad spectrum of regional issues and international affairs. Both sides expressed commitment to the central role of the United Nations and the application of its Charter’s principles. They emphasized respect for cultural and civilizational diversity and each nation’s right to self-determination.
The ministers discussed developments in African affairs, the Middle East and North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the global context, including the Western Sahara settlement process. Russia’s stance on this issue remains unchanged, seeking a balanced and unbiased approach. Russia supports expedited progress toward a sustainable and long-term settlement based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a member of the Friends of Western Sahara group, Russia is actively promoting this goal and supporting the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to create a working committee between the ministries at the deputy foreign minister level to further coordinate foreign policies. Lavrov described the visit as successful, citing the achievement of pragmatic results in their bilateral meeting and the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum.
In closing, Lavrov extended his gratitude to his colleague and friend Nasser Bourita.