Russia rejects partition of Sahara

Russia Rejects the thesis on the partition of the Sahara and continues to back a political solution to the issue, said Russian ambassador to Morocco, Youri Kotov Mikhailovich.

The diplomat, who was speaking to the press on Moroccan-Russian cooperation, said his country's position is clear regarding the Sahara issue. Moscow rejects the partition thesis and supports a political solution accepted by the parties concerned, he said.

Mikhailovich recalled in this connection Russia's rejection of the partition thesis, a position clearly expressed by Russian Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov. The diplomat quoted Ivanov as saying "the Federation of Russia is against the partition option of the Sahara. The African continent has suffered for a long time from divisions and partitions. However, Russia cannot oppose a solution accepted by the parties."

"The Federation of Russia supported the plan proposed by James Baker, Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General, as all the parties accepted this plan," the diplomat said.