Russian president Vladimir Putin expressed, on Friday, at the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit, the wish to see Russian-Moroccan relations further strengthen and continue the momentum launched during the visit of King Mohammed VI to Russia in 2016.
The Russian president commended, in a speech, King Mohammed VI, expressing the wish to see bilateral relations evolve and go in the same momentum as that launched during the Sovereign’s visit to Russia in 2016.
Referring to issues relating to food security in Africa and around the world, Putin praised the “considerable measures” taken by King Mohammed VI to ease global tensions over food products.
Head of the Moroccan Government Aziz Akhannouch, who is representing King Mohammed VI at the Summit, said in an address at the first plenary session, that the Sovereign “was the first to stress the need for a change of approach towards the African continent on the part of its traditional partners.”
He recalled, in this respect, that this orientation was expressed on several occasions, notably in the speech the King delivered at the opening of the Morocco-Côte d’Ivoire Economic Forum in 2014.
The Sovereign had then stated that Africa “does not need assistance so much as mutually profitable partnerships. Africa needs human and social development projects much more than it needs humanitarian aid.”
Akhannouch further reiterated Morocco’s “permanent attachment” to its relations with various strategic partners, noting that the Kingdom has worked to diversify its strategic partnerships.
“The status and future of the African continent, in light of this royal vision, has become a key priority for Morocco’s foreign policy,” Akhannouch told the plenary session, which was attended by several African Heads of State and Government.
This royal vision stems from the fact that Africa has enormous human and natural potential and legitimately aspires to define its role and interests independently and sovereignly in its relations with the rest of the world, he noted.
“Consequently, the countries of our continent have the right, in complete independence, to determine the nature of the strategic partnerships they wish to forge with the various international groupings and actors, in a manner that takes into account their vital interests.”
Referring to the excellent diplomatic relations existing between Morocco and Russia since the 18th century, the Head of Government noted that these relations have been considerably strengthened since the King’s visit to Moscow in 2016.
“During this visit, a deep strategic partnership was established, covering a wide range of areas of cooperation, including agriculture, energy, fisheries, science and technology, culture and higher education,” he recalled.
Akhannounch also pointed out that this Summit is taking place in a turbulent and uncertain international context, marked by instability and the escalation of conflicts and tensions in several regions of the world.
In this context, he outlined the essential and fundamental constants that underpin “Morocco’s position in the face of the current crises.”
These include, he said, respect for the territorial integrity of United Nations Member States, compliance with the principles of international law and the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly, as well as the use of peaceful means to settle disputes and avoid the use of force.
“In this context, and in view of the challenges posed by the Ukrainian crisis to food and energy security, particularly on the African continent, the Kingdom of Morocco believes in the need to intensify efforts and encourage international and regional cooperation” to meet the challenges of this crisis, remove obstacles and build a future capable of ensuring food and energy security for all countries on the continent, Akhannouch insisted.
