Strengthening the friendly relations between Morocco and Russia and topical issues in the Middle East and Africa on the agenda of the UN Security Council were the focus of meetings that took place on Thursday in Moscow between Morocco's ambassador to Russia, Lotfi Bouchaara, and two top officials from the Russian Foreign Ministry. Talks between Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and Morocco's ambassador focused on "several topical issues in the Middle East and Africa on the agenda of the UN Security Council," a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry said. Particular attention was given to the settlement of the Moroccan Sahara issue in light of its forthcoming discussion at the Council, it added. On this occasion, the Russian side stressed "the importance of reaching a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution to the Sahara issue based on the relevant Security Council resolutions, within the framework of procedures in line with the principles and objectives of the United Nations Ch arter," according to the statement. The diplomat was also received by Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Representative of the President of Russia for the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov. On this occasion, topical issues linked to "strengthening the traditionally friendly relations between Russia and Morocco" were discussed, particularly "the deepening of political dialogue on issues of common interest in the Middle East and Africa," the Russian Foreign Ministry underlined in another press release. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse