The capital, Rabat, witnessed a new diplomatic development today, Monday, November 9, 2026, in Moroccan-Ecuadorian relations, as talks between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and his Ecuadorian counterpart, Roberto Carlos Correa Besantes, culminated in the announcement of political positions and economic and diplomatic agreements that reflect the transition of relations between the two countries to a more advanced stage.
The Sahara issue topped the meeting's agenda, as Ecuador announced its explicit support for the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over its entire territory, including the Sahara region, affirming that it considers the Autonomy Initiative presented by Morocco in 2007 as the only serious, credible, and realistic solution to reach a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political settlement, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions.
The Ecuadorian position was not limited to political support, but extended to practical diplomatic measures, including arranging a visit for the Ecuadorian ambassador accredited to Morocco to the southern provinces, confirming that the consular coverage of his country's embassy encompasses the entire Moroccan territory, in addition to encouraging investments and trade exchanges in the region.
During the joint press conference, Bourita explained that relations between Rabat and Quito have witnessed a major transformation since 2024, after the two countries moved past a phase characterized by limited communication and differing political positions, to enter a new path of diplomatic rapprochement and economic cooperation, with the support of King Mohammed VI and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa.
The economic aspect formed a prominent axis in the discussions, as the two parties signed a roadmap for cooperation during the period from 2026 to 2028, aimed at developing trade exchanges and strengthening partnership in agriculture, food industries, training, technology, and renewable energies, in addition to opening new areas for investment and technical cooperation.
Morocco also announced its readiness to provide a donation of 2000 tons of fertilizers to Ecuador, in an initiative aimed at supporting agricultural cooperation, in parallel with exploring the possibility of reducing customs duties on Ecuadorian products to be determined by mutual agreement.
Regarding the movement of people, the two sides signed an agreement to exempt Ecuadorian citizens holding ordinary passports from entry visas to Morocco, a step aimed at facilitating visits and strengthening human and economic ties. The joint statement did not include a similar announcement regarding the exemption of Moroccans from entry visas to Ecuador.
The discussions also touched on security cooperation and combating transnational organized crime, in addition to discussing the conclusion of new agreements in the fields of investment protection, avoidance of double taxation, air services, and tourism, with a move towards holding the first meeting of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee, and the possibility of organizing meetings between economic actors in both countries.
In the same context, it was announced that the new headquarters of the Moroccan Embassy in the Ecuadorian capital, Quito, will soon be opened, which will enhance the Moroccan diplomatic presence in South America and allow for more regular monitoring of bilateral projects.
These developments are of particular importance given Ecuador's position within Latin America, a region with which Rabat seeks to expand its relations, whether through economic cooperation or by strengthening political dialogue on regional and international issues.
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