Vladimir Putin Welcomes King Mohammed VI at the Kremlin

PERSISMA, Rabat – Russia’s President Vladimir Putin received King Mohammed VI on Tuesday at the Kremlin in Moscow. The meeting takes place on the third day of king Mohammed VI’s to Russia. Putin gave a warm welcome to the Moroccan Monarch, and highlighted that his visit will “give a new impetus” to the relations between the two countries.

“Your Majesty, friends, allow me to welcome you to Moscow. It is a pleasure, Your Majesty, to welcome you to the capital of Russia, particularly this year, because it was precisely 50 years ago that you father, King Hassan II, visited the Soviet Union, thus establishing relations between our two countries, which have been developing ever since. I am certain, Your Majesty, that your current visit will also serve as an impetus for the development of ties between our states,” President Putin said to King Mohammed VI.

The Russian President pointed out that Russia has “wonderful relations with Morocco,” and wondered about the reasons that caused a drop in trade between the two countries.

“There is a great deal our colleagues and we have to discuss. We have wonderful relations with Morocco, though it is strange that we have been seeing a certain reduction in trade, specifically in certain traditional Moroccan goods. I do not understand the reasons for the drop in shipments of Moroccan fruit, oranges or tomatoes to Russia, particularly given the limitations in the supply of these products from the European Union countries.”

Putin said that it is “important” for him to hear King Mohammed VI’s views on regional matters. “It is also very important for me, Your Majesty, to learn your views on regional matters. Welcome.”

The Moroccan monarch arrived in Moscow on Sunday evening. This is his second official visit to Russia. The Moroccan Kin’s official visit is “extremely important” at the political and the economic levels, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation and Special Presidential Representative Mikhail Bogdanov said on Sunday.

“We are very pleased with the visit of the King to Russia given friendship and brotherhood relations between the two peoples,”Mikhail Bogdanov was quoted as saying by Moroccan state agency Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).