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

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A positive trend in the sphere <strong>of</strong> military-technical cooperation<br />

has begun taking shape. According to available data, negotiations to<br />

supply the royal armed forces with BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles<br />

are underway. Morocco's air force is looking at the possibility <strong>of</strong><br />

acquiring Russian Mi-35 attack helicopters <strong>and</strong> Mi-17 multirole<br />

helicopters.<br />

Table 3.3.4. Trade between Russia <strong>and</strong> Morocco in 2004–2010.<br />

(According to the Russian customs statistics), million USD<br />

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010*<br />

Turnover 492.7 861.4 1 340.7 767.8 656.9<br />

year on year<br />

increase in%<br />

98.4 174.8 155.6 57.3 118.8<br />

Exports 262.4 527.6 891 410 379.5<br />

year on year<br />

increase in%<br />

73.5 201.1 168.9 46.0 128.3<br />

Imports 230.3 333.8 449.7 357.7 277.1<br />

year on year<br />

increase in%<br />

* 11 months.<br />

160.6 144.9 134.7 79.5 105.9<br />

As is well known, Morocco's military has long wanted to buy<br />

Russian military hardware, especially armored vehicles. However,<br />

such deals fell through in the past out <strong>of</strong> concerns that they would<br />

provoke a negative reaction from Algeria.<br />

Atomstroyexport's chances are considered good with respect to<br />

plans for building a nuclear power station in Morocco. There are<br />

some prospects for cooperation in the use <strong>of</strong> space, since Morocco is<br />

following similar activity in neighboring Algeria with some concern,<br />

especially as it relates to the establishment <strong>of</strong> remote-sensing satellites.<br />

Satellites <strong>of</strong> this type have a dual purpose, since they can be<br />

used for intelligence collection from space.<br />

As was stated during Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Alex<strong>and</strong>er<br />

Saltanov's visit to Rabat in September, "<strong>Russia's</strong> <strong>and</strong> Morocco's<br />

approaches to international issues coincide or are very close, which<br />

in turn opens up additional opportunities for our political coopera-<br />

178

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