Morocco satisfied at Russia's understanding of the sahara issue

Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, expressed Wednesday Morocco's satisfaction at Russia's understanding regarding the Sahara issue.

"We note with satisfaction Russia's understanding and the readiness expressed by Russian foreign minister, Igor Ivanov, to endeavor for a peaceful solution to the (Sahara) conflict, Benaissa said at joint news conference with visiting Ivanov.

Benaissa added he held with his Russian peers fruitful and important talks on various means to consolidate bilateral cooperation and on the situation in the Middle East, before hailing Russia's positive and efficient role in pushing forward for the enforcement of the U.N. security council resolutions related to peace, security and stability in the middle east region. On his part, the head of the Russian diplomacy, who said he was honored by the audience with King Mohammed VI to whom he handed a message from president Vladimir Putin, stressed that his talks with Moroccan officials showed a convergence of viewpoints on bilateral, regional and international issues.

Talks will help upgrade cooperation relations between Moroccan and Russia, which were worth in 2001 US$ 360 Million making of Morocco Russia's second largest trade partner in Africa.