66th Anniversary of Morocco-Russia Relations: An Exemplary and Effective Diplomatic Alliance in Full Expansion
On September 1, 2024, the 66th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Russian Federation was commemorated. This symbolic date highlights the evolution of a stable bilateral relationship, built on wise diplomacy and a strong partnership that has successfully adapted to the many challenges of the international context.
Since the late 1950s, during the height of the Cold War, Morocco has skillfully maintained a delicate balance in its relations with the Soviet Union, despite its alignment with the Western bloc. This positioning allowed the Kingdom to adeptly navigate the political tensions of the time, demonstrating its ability to conduct pragmatic and independent diplomacy. Under the reign of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this approach has deepened, diversifying Morocco’s alliances to include Russia as a major strategic player on the international stage.
Over the past two decades, relations between Rabat and Moscow have reached exceptional levels, strengthened by royal visits to Russia in 2002 and 2016. These moments have consolidated cooperation in key sectors such as energy, food security, defense, and particularly fishing, which is essential for both economies.
Russia sees Morocco as a leading maritime partner, with its 3,500 kilometers of coastline rich in fishery resources. In return, the Kingdom benefits from Russian expertise to boost its fishing sector, while relying on Russian wheat exports, which are crucial to mitigate the climate fluctuations affecting its agricultural production.
This cooperation also extends to the military sector, where technological and strategic exchanges strengthen the trust between the two nations. On the diplomatic front, relations are supported by regular dialogues, as demonstrated by discussions between Morocco’s ambassador to Russia, Lotfi Bouchaara, and high-ranking Russian officials such as Mikhail Bogdanov and Sergei Vershinin. These exchanges reflect a shared commitment to jointly addressing regional and international challenges.
On the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, Russia maintains a neutral and respectful position, despite its historical but increasingly shaky ties with Algeria in recent years. This choice shows great consideration for Morocco’s national priorities, further reinforcing the resilience and strength of bilateral relations. This neutrality has at times caused tensions between Moscow and the military junta in power in Algiers, reflecting the importance and depth of the Morocco-Russia partnership.
As the world undergoes significant geopolitical upheavals, Morocco and Russia remain committed to deepening their cooperation. Together, they are building a common future based on modern, effective diplomacy focused on peace, development, and prosperity for their peoples and beyond.
Abderrazzak Boussaid/Le7tv
