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Rabat – A decree published on Russia’s government’s website announced the appointment of Igor Beliaev as a new ambassador to Morocco, replacing Vladimir Baibakov.
Beliaev served as Russia’s ambassador to Algeria, one of Russia’s strongest allies in the region, between 2017 and 2022.
Born in 1967, the newly appointed ambassador to Morocco graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO). The same year marked his diplomatic journey, holding different positions in the central office of Russia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry and abroad.
Beliaev held the position of the Counselor and first Councillor at the Embassy of Russia in Syria from 2003-2009, and worked as the head of division and deputy director of the department of the MENA region at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2009-2017
From 2022 to present, he also served as deputy director of the Department of the MENA region at the Russian foreign affairs ministry.
Russia’s appointment of a new ambassador comes at a time when it continues to express determination to boost bilateral ties and cooperation at all levels.
The two countries cooperate at different levels, including agriculture, fisheries, and political dialogue.
Bilateral trade between Moscow and Rabat maintains steady levels at $2 billion despite Western anti-Russian sanctions, according to Baibakov.
In a previous interview, the ambassador attributed this resilience to expanding bilateral trade relations and growing Russian business interest in the Moroccan market.
The two countries, however, endure divergences, including on the Western Sahara dispute.
Russia’s ambassador to Algiers, Alexy Solomatin, attempted to appease Algeria’s regime concerns regarding the Russian position in an interview in February.
The ambassador reaffirmed what he called Russia’s unchanged position on Western Sahara in a comment on Moscow’s choice to abstain during the vote on UN Security Council Resolution 2797 in October last year.
The resolution endorses Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a genuine political framework to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Russia’s abstention sparked backlash among Polisario and its supporters. However, the ambassador said his country’s firm position does not change.
“We emphasize that the issue must be resolved solely through political means, based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” Solomatin said, adding a lasting solution must satisfy all parties concerned.”
The remarks came to appease Algeria’s concerns amid its increasingly isolated position and stances amid international support strengthening Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the only feasible solution or most serious and credible resolution able to end the dispute.
