Rabat – Russia’s ambassador to Morocco, Vladimir Baibakov, has emphasized the importance of bilateral ties between Rabat and Moscow, stressing the need to explore cooperation in new sectors – including sports.
The ambassador made his remarks in a new interview with Moroccan news agency MAP, noting Morocco’s leadership in different sectors, including sports.
As Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup, Ambassador Baibakov said sports is one of the key sectors with the potential to strengthen the “strategic partnership” between Rabat and Moscow.
His remarks come as Morocco and Russia celebrate the 10th anniversary of the signing of the “Deepening Strategic Partnership” between the two countries.
King Mohammed VI and President Vladimir Putin signed the partnership in 2002 during the Moroccan monarch’s first visit to Moscow.
The King’s second visit in 2016 saw the signing of a declaration on the development of the strategic partnership, along with several other bilateral deals.
“Morocco remains one of Russia’s main economic and trade partners in Africa,” the ambassador told MAP.
And he made similar remarks in another interview in February. Ambassador Baibakov notably confirmed that bilateral trade between Morocco and Russia has maintained steady levels over the past years. He said that, despite Western sanctions on Moscow, the volume of trade between Russia and Morocco is currently valued at $2 billion.
He attributed this steady momentum in relations to growing Russian business interests in the Moroccan market.
“Western countries shamelessly try to use sanctions to push Russia out of the Moroccan market,” Baibakov stated.
In his new interview with MAP, the Russian ambassador recalled the strong bilateral trade ties between Moscow and Rabat, citing industries like the fisheries.
Morocco and Russia signed a new fisheries agreement in October last year, in replacement of the previous deal that expired in 2024.
Fisheries agreements between the two countries date back to 1992.
The Russian ambassador also emphasized the importance of other sectors in Morocco, including tourism, stating the steady increase in tourist flows between the two countries
He attributed the sector’s development to the addition of direct flights that Royal Air Maroc launched.
Bilateral cooperation also includes security partnerships to combat terrorism, promoting stability in the region, including the Sahel-Sahara area, the ambassador said.
Russia supports the work of the UN Office of Counter Terrorism based in Rabat, Baibakov added.
Beyond partnership in ties, economy, and security, the Russian ambassador conveyed his country’s support for Moroccan initiatives in favor of Africa’s development.
Ambassador Baibakov also drew attention to Morocco’s position as one of the major investors on the continent.
He notably cited the three initiatives that King Mohammed VI launched recently, including the Atlantic initiative that focused on complementarity in transport, infrastructure, and boosting intra-African trade.