Heba Press
Ahmed Noureddine, member of the Moroccan Foreign Affairs Council, said that Moroccan-Russian relations are moving towards significant levels of partnership and cooperation, in light of a mutual desire for cooperation.
The same official confirmed that relations are experiencing remarkable development, since the volume of trade has reached around 2.5 billion dollars and Morocco is considered Russia’s third or fourth commercial client in Africa.
He added that the cooperation covers very diverse areas. In addition to agricultural products, fishing and energy materials which dominate bilateral trade, there is cooperation anchored in space technologies which dates back to 2001, the date of the launch of the first Moroccan-made aircraft. satellite from the Baikonur base by a Russian rocket.
This technological cooperation was strengthened after the signing of an agreement protecting classified data in the military and technological field in 2016. Ahmed Nour El-Din adds
He added: “In addition to these aspects, negotiations are underway between the two countries on the completion of a liquid gas station in Morocco and Russian participation in the financing and completion of the gas pipeline between Nigeria and Morocco, which will cost around $25 billion and supply around 13 West African countries.
The latter revealed that Rosatom was interested in establishing a nuclear power plant in Morocco and in using Russian technology to desalinate sea water.
Morocco, says Noureddine, “is looking for an international partner to extend the railway network to its African depths, in particular to connect Moroccan Agadir to the Senegalese capital, Dakar, via Mauritania, in order to accelerate African integration and strengthen the position of Morocco on the logistical level. map within the continent and globally.
He stressed that this issue is linked to huge investment projects which are part of Russia’s strategy to develop its position as a major partner of African countries.
I believe that Moscow’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern Sahara provinces will bring the two countries closer to a solid partnership and remove all obstacles that hinder the implementation of certain major and promising projects in the region, concludes Noureddine. telling Sputnik:
