Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Expected in Morocco As Part of Africa Tour

Rabat – Russia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to visit Morocco in February as part of his second-round Africa tour.

On Monday, Lavrov arrived in South Africa, where he is holding talks with local authorities.

In addition to South Africa, Lavrov is set to visit Eswatini, Angola, and Botswana.

According to converging reports, Lavrov is also set to return to the continent to continue his African tour with visits to Morocco, Tunisia, and Mauritania in February.

Lavrov’s Africa tour comes amid Russia’s determination to expand and boost cooperation with African countries after facing sanctions from Europe.

The European Union seeks to put a complete ban on Russian oil product exports, starting on February 5.

Ahead of the EU embargo, Russia has decided to increase diesel deliveries to both Morocco and Turkiye as part of its approach to tackle the situation.

In addition to Morocco, Russia also aims to reroute its oil products to other countries on the continent, as well as to Asia, and Latin America.

Russian billionaire businessman and President of mining company Nornickel Vladimir Potanin told Russia’s RBC television on Monday: “Naturally, we find ways out of this situation. We are restructuring logistics chains to more friendly countries. First of all, to China, Turkey, Morocco, and other Arab countries.”

Russia’s diesel supplies to Morocco have increased to around 735,000 tonnes in 2022 compared to as little as 66,000 tonnes a year earlier, according to stock market website Market news.

Data from the Observatory of the Economic Complex (EC) documents a good trade partnership between Moscow and Rabat.

Russian exports to Morocco amounted to $1.35 billion in 2020. The exports include coal briquettes, refined petroleum, and ammonia.

Exports of Russia to Morocco also increased at an annualized rate of 6.98% during the past 25 years, the same data website added.

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