Morocco does not have any restrictions preventing it from importing Russian fuel, said Government Spokesperson Mustapha Baitas today in a press briefing.
Answering journalists’ questions about Russian fuel exports, Baitas said that although exports would be feasible, the international banking community’s punitive measures are an obstacle to Moroccan investors.
“As far as the defined regulations are concerned, nothing prevents the import of Russian fuel, but it is a complicated procedure, especially with regard to the banking support of domestic investors. The head of government has already addressed this issue many times, the last time being last Monday, when he explained the responsibility of the government in this regard, “says the government spokesman.
“However, with regard to tariffs, it has already been disclosed that the prices reported do not reflect reality. For the government, the import of this material and all other substances is possible, but what hinders this operation is, among other things, the establishment of an adequate accompanying model,” explained Baitas.
“Banks must find possibilities and financing to accompany investors,” the minister said after the Weekly Government Council held today in Rabat.
Morocco has kept importing Russian coal destined to generate electricity in the Kingdom, highlights the Minister, in line with the executive’s policy to keep energy prices stable.
In Parliament, Minister of Energy Transition Leila Benali had assured that Russian fuel accounted for 9% of Kingdom’s total fuel imports for 2020, which fell to 5% in 2021, and rose back at 9% in 2022.
However, since 2023, and amid heightened sanctions limiting Russia’s access to foreign export markets, conflicting reports cast a shadow of doubt about Morocco’s Russian fuel import quantities.
Since the beginning of the year, Russian fuel imports to Morocco exceeding their normal rates, reaching 13% in the first three months of 2023.
Palestine-Israel escalation
During the press briefing, Baitas also tackled the worrying escalation of armed conflict between Palestine and Israel, saying: “Morocco’s position is a clear, frank, consistent and unquestionable position.”
“Morocco has expressed it more than once,” said the Minister, reiterating that “the initiatives led by King Mohammed VI in this issue and the work being carried out by a number of concerned Moroccan institutions” is a manifestation of the Kingdom’s unwavering position.
“Recently and only a few weeks ago, there was a clear and explicit statement issued by the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which defined the parameters of Morocco’s position around the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”
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