On Friday, Ecuador announced the opening of its embassy in Morocco, reaffirming its support for Rabat's autonomy plan for the Sahara. Speaking alongside her Moroccan counterpart, Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld hailed the move as a natural step following her country's withdrawal of recognition of the Polisario. During an official visit to Rabat on Friday, Ecuador expressed its support for Morocco's autonomy plan as «the basis for resolving the regional dispute» over the Sahara. Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, Gabriela Sommerfeld, highlighted «the importance of the Moroccan initiative as a realistic, viable, and credible path toward a definitive resolution, grounded in the commitment of all parties to end this long-standing issue». The Ecuadorian official also reiterated Quito's intention to work «hand in hand with the UN Secretary-General (...) in a more effective and coherent manner to address today's complex global challenges». This marks a new step in the growing ties between Morocco and Ecuador, following Ecuador's decision in October 2024 to withdraw its recognition of the Polisario Front. Speaking at a joint press conference with Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad, Nasser Bourita, Sommerfeld announced the forthcoming opening of Ecuador's embassy in Rabat. On that occasion, she reaffirmed her country's commitment to deepening bilateral ties «within a framework of mutual respect and sovereignty». «Our cooperative relationship is founded on shared principles, peaceful coexistence, democracy, good governance, solidarity, transparency, human rights, and international humanitarian law, as well as a rejection of unilateral sanctions», Sommerfeld said. In response, Nasser Bourita confirmed that Morocco will soon open a diplomatic office in Quito, with the goal of eventually upgrading it to a full embassy. He also announced that both countries have agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as security, intelligence, and the joint fight against terrorism and drug trafficking. Broader Strategic Partnership Minister Bourita welcomed Ecuador's support for Morocco's autonomy proposal and praised Quito's «courageous efforts in combating transnational and organized crime, particularly international drug trafficking», as well as its commitment to regional and global peace. He emphasized Morocco's support for «all initiatives undertaken by Ecuador as part of its sovereign political will to tackle transnational threats», including actions taken within global and UN frameworks. Both countries agreed on the importance of coordination in these areas. The two ministers concluded their meeting with the signing of two memorandums of understanding. The first focuses on supporting political dialogue and coordination on international issues, while the second aims to enhance economic and trade cooperation, including initiatives related to food security. As part of this new partnership framework, Ecuadorian citizens will soon be able to submit pre-entry declarations electronically for travel to Morocco, bypassing the traditional visa application process. This measure is one of several steps aimed at strengthening economic ties, especially in tourism and investment, between the two nations.
