Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum in Marrakech Stresses Importance of Dialogue and Cooperation Enhancement
(AWP) - Participants in the sixth edition of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum in the Moroccan city of Marrakech affirmed on Wednesday the importance of dialogue between the two sides, as well as cooperation on many regional and international issues.
The forum was hosted by Moroccan Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, in the presence of his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, and the Arab League Assistant Secretary-General, Hossam Zaki, in addition to the ministerial delegations of the participating Arab countries.
Bourita highlighted the importance of constructive Arab dialogue with Russia during the current period, in light of international circumstances, as he considers Moscow to be an influential player when it comes to various issues in the Middle East.
"From this standpoint, we aspire to advance this forum to the level of an actual and effective Arab-Russian strategic dialogue, which will be a real space for coordination and a constructive, practical and fruitful partnership that serves the interests of both parties in a balanced way, contributing to the security and stability of our Arab region,” Bourita said.
“A partnership built on mutual respect and shared responsibility; a partnership that is unique in its content and remains open in its governance; partnership with solidarity as its foundation and fulfillment of obligations as its principle; a partnership that balances concern for political and economic interests on the one hand, and the capabilities and aspirations of the partners on the other,” he added.
Morocco was chosen to host the current edition during the previous forum session, held in Moscow in 2019.
The forum witnessed discussions of developments in the Middle East, in light of the Israeli war on Gaza and the humanitarian situation of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Morocco’s Foreign Minister renewed his country's call for de-escalation and a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, ensuring the protection of civilians, and allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid in sufficient quantities to the people of the Strip, while establishing a political horizon for the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution.
"The discussion touched on political issues as well as tactics for raising the level of cooperation between the two parties. We are now in the sixth session of this forum, and of course economic and commercial exchange has increased since the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Arab League and the Russian Federation,” said Hossam Zaki, the Arab League Assistant Secretary-General.
“A lot can be achieved in this framework in the future,” he continued, “therefore, we must focus on how to deal with challenges and raise the level of cooperation, whether commercial, cultural, scientific or other, with the Federal Republic of Russia."
The Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum has gained in importance in recent years as a platform for exchanging views and coordinating positions on various issues at the regional and international levels, considering the common interests and priorities of the Arab and Russian sides in diverse political, economic, and commercial fields.