Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s working visit to the Kingdom of Morocco

On December 20, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was on a working visit to Morocco to attend the sixth session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum in Marrakesh where he held talks with Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

Mr Lavrov and Mr Bourita discussed the package of current issues on the steady development of traditionally friendly bilateral relations with an emphasis on the need to intensify joint efforts to further promote multifaceted bilateral ties in accordance with the 2002 Declaration on Strategic Partnership and the 2016 Statement on Deeper Strategic Cooperation. The ministers agreed to step up preparations for the regular eighth session of the Intergovernmental Mixed Russian-Moroccan Commission on Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation in Moscow. They also discussed in detail promising projects in energy, industry and agriculture and issues pertaining to upgrading the contractual foundation of bilateral ties.

During the exchange of views on current international issues, Mr Lavrov and Mr Bourita focused on the developments in the Middle East, North Africa and the Sahara-Sahel zone. They reaffirmed Moscow and Rabat’s intention to deepen their dialogue and coordinate efforts to settle regional issues through political and diplomatic methods with reliance on the fundamental principles and standards of international law with the UN central role.

During his stay in Morocco, Mr Lavrov awarded Foreign Ministry badges “For Interaction” to honorary consul of Russia in Marrakesh Rabai Hafid and honorary consul of Russia in Agadir Abdellatif Abid for their efforts at strengthening Russian-Moroccan ties.