Russia and Morocco hold talks ahead of voting a resolution on the Sahara

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin received, Wednesday, Morocco’s ambassador to Moscow Lotfi Bouchaara, according to a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The meeting was an opportunity for the two diplomats to address issues «in North Africa, the Sahara-Sahel zone and a political and diplomatic settlement to the conflict in the region», the same source added.

These talks between Vershinin and Bouchaara reaffirm «Moscow and Rabat’s will to deepen the dialogue on international problems of common interest», the same source added.

The meeting comes as the Security Council is expected to vote a new resolution on the Western Sahara issue. Russia is heading the UN body during October, as a permanent member.

The Moroccan ambassador in Moscow has already met, on September 30, with Vladimir Putin's special representative for the Middle East and African countries Mikhail Bogdanov. 

On September 11, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that «at the initiative of the Moroccan side, a phone call was held between Sergei Lavrov and Nasser Bourita», and the main topic was the Sahara issue.