Ecuador Inaugurates Its First Embassy in Morocco
Rabat, The Gulf Observer: In a landmark step toward strengthening bilateral relations, Ecuador officially opened its first-ever embassy in Morocco on Friday, marking a new phase in diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
The inauguration ceremony in Rabat was attended by Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita and Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabriela Sommerfeld, underscoring the significance both nations place on expanding their cooperation.
The move follows Ecuador’s October 2024 decision to sever all relations with the self-proclaimed “Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic” and support Morocco’s position on the Western Sahara conflict. The Ecuadorian government has since reaffirmed its backing of Morocco’s 2007 Autonomy Plan, which it considers the basis for a just and lasting political resolution.
A Strategic Step in South-South Cooperation
Minister Bourita highlighted the broader diplomatic context, noting that Morocco now hosts 165 diplomatic missions, including 14 embassies from Latin American countries and 50 representations from international organizations. This, he emphasized, reflects Morocco’s emergence as a diplomatic bridge between Latin America and Africa.
“Ecuador’s decision to establish an embassy in Rabat reflects a deepening of South-South cooperation and a strategic vision shared by both nations,” Bourita stated. He described the partnership as a “win-win model” and praised Ecuador for appointing an ambassador to head the new diplomatic mission, reinforcing the country’s commitment to long-term engagement with Morocco.
A Gateway to Africa
In her remarks, Foreign Minister Sommerfeld hailed the opening of the embassy as the beginning of a “new dynamic” in Ecuador-Morocco relations. She emphasized Ecuador’s readiness to collaborate with Morocco across a range of strategic sectors, including trade, energy, agriculture, and education, while also sharing expertise and innovation.
Sommerfeld noted that this is Ecuador’s first diplomatic mission in the Maghreb region, adding that the embassy could serve as a gateway to African markets for Ecuadorian businesses and institutions.
Following the ceremony, the two ministers held a working meeting during which Sommerfeld reiterated Ecuador’s support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and the country’s Autonomy Plan as a credible and serious basis for resolving the Western Sahara dispute under the auspices of the United Nations.
Expanding Diplomatic Footprint
The embassy opening is expected to pave the way for expanded cooperation in political dialogue, trade, investment, cultural exchange, and multilateral collaboration. It marks a significant diplomatic milestone in Ecuador’s foreign policy orientation towards Africa and reaffirms Morocco’s growing importance as a hub for regional and international diplomacy.
Both sides expressed optimism about the future of bilateral relations and agreed to continue fostering mutual understanding and shared development goals under the framework of South-South solidarity.
