Morocco's foreign minister meets Russian counterpart in Moscow to boost strategic partnership

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Thursday (16 October) to further strengthen bilateral relations under the Deepened Strategic Partnership established in March 2016 between King Mohammed VI and President Vladimir Putin.

According to MAP News, both ministers praised the momentum provided by their respective heads of state and reaffirmed their commitment to elevating Moroccan-Russian relations, leveraging historical friendship and existing cooperation.

During the meeting, Bourita and Lavrov signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a Russian-Moroccan Working Committee between their foreign ministries. The committee will review the partnership, propose new areas of high-value cooperation, and ensure regular political dialogue while monitoring previously concluded agreements.

The ministers also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest, particularly developments in North Africa, the Sahel, and the Middle East, aiming to inject renewed momentum into the strategic partnership.

Bourita's visit coincides with the 8th session of the Joint Cooperation Commission, which he co-chairs with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev. The meeting reflects ongoing efforts to expand and deepen cooperation across political, economic, and strategic spheres.

Since King Mohammed VI's ascension to the throne, Morocco-Russia relations have strengthened significantly, marked by two royal visits to Moscow and President Putin's official visit to Morocco in 2006, laying the foundation for long-term strategic collaboration.