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Morocco and Russia deepen ties ahead of 10th strategic partnership anniversary
Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met in Moscow on Thursday to strengthen the historic relationship between their nations, which dates back to the 18th century. Their discussions included diplomatic coordination, economic ties, and cultural collaboration, as both countries prepare to celebrate a decade of strategic partnership in 2026.
The roots of Morocco-Russia relations began with trade exchanges in the 18th century, during the reign of Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdallah and Empress Catherine II. The establishment of a Russian consulate in Tangier in 1897 marked a significant milestone in their partnership. In modern times, the relationship was formalized with the Declaration on Strategic Partnership during His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s visit to Moscow in 2002, followed by President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Morocco in 2006.
During the meeting, the ministers signed a memorandum creating a Russian-Moroccan interdepartmental working committee to deepen their collaboration. Bourita highlighted the extensive legal framework that underpins their relationship, which includes 188 agreements across multiple fields. “This is one of the richest legal frameworks Morocco has with any country,” he stated.
Celebrating a decade of strategic partnership
The 10th anniversary of the deep strategic partnership, signed in 2016 during HM King Mohammed VI’s visit to Russia, will be marked with reciprocal ministerial visits and cultural activities in both nations. Lavrov expressed his gratitude to Morocco for supporting initiatives like Russian Culture Days in Morocco, which will further foster cultural exchange.
Bourita noted the exceptional growth of bilateral tourism. Royal Air Maroc has reopened its Casablanca-Moscow route with seven weekly flights, and a new Casablanca-Hamburg route is on the horizon to attract more Russian tourists.
Both ministers emphasized the importance of political dialogue and cooperation on global issues. Bourita praised Russia’s role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and called for a fairer, multipolar global system that reflects the interests of developing nations, particularly in Africa.
Economic and educational cooperation
Economic relations between the two countries continue to expand. Bourita announced that the eighth session of the Moroccan-Russian joint committee, scheduled for Friday, would focus on agriculture, fisheries, and academic collaboration, with new agreements set to be signed.
On education, Lavrov highlighted that 4,250 Moroccan students are currently studying in Russia. He pledged continued support for Moroccan students seeking higher education opportunities in Russian institutions.
Regional stability and shared goals
The ministers discussed regional stability, particularly in the Sahel and Sahara regions. Bourita stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty of African nations and supporting their choices for development and stability. He reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to accompanying these countries in anti-terrorism efforts.
Lavrov echoed these sentiments, underscoring the shared vision of Morocco and Russia for peace and stability in Africa. Both sides also agreed on the importance of the Russia-Africa Forum as a framework for advancing these objectives.
In conclusion, Bourita praised the positive dialogue with Lavrov and reiterated Morocco’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Russia. Lavrov, in turn, expressed optimism about the future of the relationship, emphasizing the shared commitment to global stability and mutual prosperity.
