Enhancing Strategic Partnership
Morocco and Russia have convened the inaugural meeting of the Joint Working Committee between the foreign ministries of both nations in Moscow. This significant gathering involved Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov and Morocco's Director General for International Political Affairs, Fouad Yazoug. The primary aim of this meeting was to explore avenues for bolstering bilateral relations and enhancing coordination on various international and regional issues. According to reports from the Russian side, the discussions focused on the prospects of deepening Moroccan-Russian cooperation across multiple sectors, emphasizing the expansion of trade exchanges and humanitarian links. Both parties underscored the importance of regularizing the work of the Joint Government Committee for Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, reflecting their mutual desire to inject additional momentum into the partnership between Moscow and Rabat.
Collaborative Dialogue on International Issues
The committee's discussions were not limited to bilateral matters; they also addressed a range of international and regional issues. Russian data indicated a notable alignment in perspectives regarding most topics on the current global and regional agenda, with both sides mutually reaffirming their commitment to deepening coordination at both the bilateral level and within various multilateral forums. The importance of resolving crises in the Middle East and Africa through political and diplomatic means was highlighted, adhering to the principles and rules of international law while assigning a central role to the United Nations. Furthermore, both nations reiterated their intention to maintain the momentum of political dialogue in line with the spirit and text of the declaration aimed at deepening the Moroccan-Russian strategic partnership, signed in March 2016.
This meeting holds particular significance given its timing, as it precedes the upcoming United Nations discussions related to the Moroccan Sahara issue, with the UN Secretary-General set to deliver his periodic report and preparations underway for discussions in the Security Council anticipated for next October regarding developments in the file and the political settlement path. While the Russian statement does not disclose specific details regarding Moscow's position on the recent developments concerning the Sahara dispute, its inclusion in the context of Moroccan-Russian political dialogue underscores its importance as a diplomatic milestone, especially as Rabat and Moscow strive to enhance channels of consultation on regional and international matters.
This gathering is a continuation of the ongoing efforts to develop Moroccan-Russian relations, which are founded on the strategic partnership declaration signed between the two countries in 2016, encompassing political, economic, and commercial cooperation among other areas. The new bilateral meeting signifies a transition from mere political communications to a more structured joint working mechanism between the foreign ministries, facilitating regular discussions on mutual and regional issues. The convening of the joint committee in Moscow indicates the continuity of political dialogue between Rabat and Moscow during a delicate regional and international phase, as capitals concerned with the Moroccan Sahara file await the outcomes of the UN process in the coming weeks, particularly with the new report from Secretary-General António Guterres and the anticipated Security Council deliberations in October.
As reported by hespress.com.
