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Foreign ministers

Morocco and Russia Strengthen Ties Amid Western Sahara Dispute

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita recently met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in New York, reaffirming their commitment to resolving the Western Sahara dispute through diplomatic means. The meeting follows a phone conversation between Bourita and Lavrov in September and comes at a critical time as Russia prepares to take over the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council. The talks between the two foreign ministers align with international law principles and norms, with a focus on the central role of the UN in resolving conflicts. Morocco is seeking to convince Russia and China not to use their veto power to block a decisive resolution on the Western Sahara issue.

Key Takeaways:

  • The meeting between Bourita and Lavrov covered discussions on urgent issues in their bilateral agenda, including plans for future cooperation and maintaining effective coordination of foreign policies.
  • Russia has shifted its position on the Western Sahara dispute, from voting against UN resolutions to abstaining from openly endorsing resolutions that foster Morocco's efforts in the UN-led political process.
  • Russia has expressed interest in maintaining good ties with Morocco and is actively working with Rabat to solve the Western Sahara dispute, with Lavrov stating that 'Morocco is a friendly country.'
  • The meeting follows a phone conversation between Bourita and Lavrov on September 19 and a meeting between de Mistura, the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, and Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin in Moscow on September 18.
  • Russia has urged providing adequate human and material resources for the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) to continue stabilizing the situation in the region.
  • The talks between the two foreign ministers are taking place at a critical time as Russia prepares to take over the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council next October.
  • Morocco has spent recent months working with the US and France on the 'technical dimension' to secure passage of a decisive resolution on the Western Sahara issue through the UN.

Statistics:

  • 80th session of the UN General Assembly
  • Next October: Russia takes over the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council
  • September 19: Phone conversation between Bourita and Lavrov
  • September 18: de Mistura's diplomatic tour in Moscow, including a meeting with Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin
  • Recent years: Russia has abstained from openly endorsing resolutions that foster Morocco's efforts in the UN-led political process

Sources:

  • unnamed "Russia has, in recent years, gone from downright voting against UN resolutions to abstaining from openly endorsing resolutions that typically foster Morocco's efforts in the UN-led political process."
  • Lavrov: 'Morocco is a friendly country. We have good plans and we are helping Moroccans solve problems that fall under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' jurisdiction, primarily the issue of Western Sahara,'
  • unnamed "Earlier this year, Lavrov renewed Russia's interest in maintaining good ties with Morocco, confirming that that Moscow is actively working with Rabat to solve the Western Sahara dispute."
  • unnamed "With this gradual shift in position, Russia has asserted that its positioning on Western Sahara dispute has always been generally neutral, although there is an inclination towards Algeria."

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