Russian president: no alternative to political settlement of Sahara issue

Russian president, Vladimir Putin, stressed, in a message to Morocco's King Mohammed VI, that there is no alternative to a political settlement of the Sahara issue, as part of the United Nations Security Council germane resolutions.

In a reply to a message from the Moroccan king to the Russian president, conveyed by state minister Abbas Fassi, Putin expresses his country's intent to continue to contribute to the quest for means to settle this protracted dispute, by maintaining contacts with concerned parties, including Morocco. He also stresses that the concerns expressed by the sovereign regarding the Sahara issue will be taken into account in developing concrete political approaches to the problem.

The Russian president insists there can be no alternative to a political solution of the Sahara problem, in the frame of the germane resolutions of the U.N. Security Council and efforts conducted under the U.N. aegis. "We remain open to any political headway provided that it receives the consent of parties to the conflict," says Putin.

Putin further thanks the sovereign for the invitation he was extended to visit Morocco and hopes to be able to undertake the trip as soon as possible. He also stresses that he shares the assessment made by King Mohammed VI on the condition and prospects of developing mutually-profitable cooperation, and voices satisfaction with the outcome of the official visit paid by the sovereign to Russia (Oct. 2002) and, most importantly, with the signing of the bilateral strategic partnership, underscoring that the most important task ahead for the future of Moroccan-Russian ties is the launching of mechanisms for the joint cooperation commission.

Russia considers Morocco as a solid and important partner and is ready to deepen interaction with the Kingdom on all issues of common interest, reads the message.