Rabat – The Russian capital hosted yesterday talks between Morocco and Russia, with a focus on strengthening bilateral relations and preparing for the upcoming second Russia-Africa summit.
The meeting, held at the request of the Moroccan Ambassador to Moscow, Lotfi Buchaara, was attended by the Special Representative of the President of Russia for the Middle East and Africa, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.
According to a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the discussions revolved around “current issues” and further enhancing the historically friendly ties between Russia and Morocco. Both parties emphasized the importance of maintaining an active political dialogue, especially concerning regional matters of mutual interest.
A crucial talking point during discussions was the upcoming second Russia-Africa summit, scheduled to take place in Saint Petersburg from July 27 to 28. The summit holds significant importance for Russia, particularly amid the ongoing tensions and conflict with Ukraine.
As the summit draws near, the eyes of geopolitics observers and analysts are on Saint Petersburg, where leaders from Africa and Russia will gather to deliberate on shared challenges and opportunities, hoping to foster a new era of cooperation that benefits both regions and contributes to global stability.
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For Morocco, the summit is an opportunity to seek assurances from the host country regarding the exclusion of the Polisario from the list of guests. In the first edition of the Russia-Africa summit, held in October 2019 in Sochi, the presence of the Polisario Font, the separatist group in southern Morocco, sparked short-lived tensions and diplomatic concerns between Moscow and Rabat.
In addition, the meeting highlighted the commitment of both Russia and Morocco to strengthen their long-standing ties and explore avenues for enhanced cooperation. With the second Russia-Africa summit fast approaching, the talks focused on ensuring its success and further promoting fruitful diplomatic engagement between Russia and African nations.
