Sahara: Morocco’s Ambassador to Moscow Received by Russian Deputy FM

Russia’s Deputy foreign minister Sergey Vershinin received Tuesday in Moscow Moroccan Ambassador to Russia Lotfi Bouchaara. They discussed a number of issues on the UN Security Council agenda, with a focus on the Sahara issue settlement, according to a press release issued by the Russian foreign minister.

The meeting comes following the visit paid by Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba to Rabat wherein he voiced strong support for Morocco’s autonomy plan offered for the Sahara, describing the plan as a “serious and credible” basis for reaching a “successful” settlement to the Sahara regional conflict.

“Both Ukraine and Morocco know the value of sovereignty and territorial integrity”, said Mr. Dmytro at a joint press briefing held in Rabat with Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita.

The Ukrainian top diplomat affirmed that his country backs the efforts made by UN Sahara envoy Staffan de Mistura for reaching a realistic, enduring and mutually acceptable political solution, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.

For his part, Mr. Bourita said Morocco does not participate in any way in the conflict in Ukraine, underlining the Kingdom’s adherence to the respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries.

Morocco stands with legality and international law, the non-use of force for the resolution of conflicts and encourages dialogue and respect of UN resolutions, explained the Moroccan minister, saying Rabat is concerned by this war in Ukraine because it undermines regional security & stability and affects the economies of many countries, including the North African Kingdom.

Morocco has good relations with both Moscow and Kyiv and promotes a peaceful solution to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, said Mr. Bourita.