L. Fituni, I. Abramova Resource Potential of Africa and Russia's ...

cooperation and hydrocarbon production. The two countries
worked closely together in the UN Security Council to address a
number of important international issues, including issues affecting
Africa, since on February 2, 2009 the leader of the Libyan revolution
Muammar Gaddafi started a one-year term as the head of the
African Union. It appears that the two countries are studying the
possibility of deploying a Russian Navy base near Tripoli, which,
if it comes about, will raise military cooperation between the two
countries to a new level.
In 2009, Libya signed a $200 million contract with Russia for
delivery of missile boats. This was the largest weapons deal signed
with Libya in recent times.
The LAVEX-2009 Arab-African arms exhibition took place in
Tripoli during October. For Russia, it resulted in the signing of
five contracts. No amounts were specified, but according to Rosoboronexport
the contracts were for spare parts and munitions for
Soviet– and Russian-made equipment, as well as for upgrading T-
72 tanks. "Most of the contracts pertain to ground force and naval
weapons and equipment, including contracts for upgrading T-72
tanks and supplying spare parts for ground and naval forces,"
stated Alexander Mikheyev, deputy general director of Rosoboronexport.
Also in October, it became known that Libya intends to acquire
more than 20 aircraft in Russia for a sum of $1 billion. According to
available data, this involves 12-15 Su-35 fighters, 4 Su-30 aircraft
and 6 Yak-130 operational trainers. The contracts are expected to be
signed in late 2009 or early 2010.
Morocco. Trade and economic relations with Morocco were expanded
in 2009. The Kingdom has recently become one of Russia's
main suppliers of citrus fruits and early vegetables. In turn, Russia
supplies Morocco with petroleum products and grain. Morocco is
one of the trio of major Russian trading partners on the African continent.
In the first 11 moths of 2010, the volume of trade between the
two countries exceeded $656 million. (Table 3.3.4) Bilateral cooperation
in the field of marine fisheries is progressing. The first steps
to develop investment cooperation have been taken.
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