Ecuador To Extend Consular Services to Morocco’s Southern Provinces

Rabat – Ecuador has reiterated its steadfast position in support of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the only serious and credible political solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara.

Ecuador’s Foreign Affairs Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld renewed her country’s position following talks with her Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita in Rabat on Friday.

Ecuador and Morocco issued a joint declaration in which Quito reaffirmed that the autonomy under Morocco’s sovereignty represents the most feasible solution to end the regional dispute.

As part of its unwavering support, Ecuador decided to extend its consular coverage to Morocco’s southern provinces in accordance with international law.

In the joint declaration, the two countries also expressed support for the UN-led political process and UN envoy Staffan de Mistura and all efforts aimed at advancing the process toward a final settlement to Western Sahara.

Ecuador also stressed the importance of the UN Security Council 2797, adopted last year in October, recognizing Morocco’s autonomy as a genuine political solution to the dispute.

Beyond consular services, Ecuador aims to promote economic and trade cooperation opportunities in Morocco’s southern provinces to strengthen exchanges in investment, trade, and productive development.

Read also: Ecuador Says Morocco’s Autonomy Plan is Important for Western Sahara

Ecuador’s ambassador in Rabat will soon carry out a visit to the Sahara region to prepare and support several economic initiatives, the Ecuadorian minister said.

Speaking after talks with Ecuador’s FM, Bourita said significant progress has been made over the past two years, especially after Ecuador withdrew recognition of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Republic.

“Since that date, the Embassy of Ecuador was opened in Rabat during the previous visit of my dear Gabriela Sommerfeld, and today, there is a Moroccan mission in Quito to open a Moroccan embassy in Ecuador,” Bourita said. “Since then, sectoral visits have multiplied, and today the minister has brought with her a business delegation of Ecuadorian entrepreneurs to strengthen trade between the two countries across various sectors, and they have held meetings over the past days with the Moroccan private sector.” 

Ecuador suspended its recognition of Polisario’s self-proclaimed SADR in October 2024, bringing yet another setback for Algeria’s regime, which continues to support Polisario’s independence claims in Western Sahara.

Over 120 countries, in addition to the EU, back the Autonomy initiative as the only or most feasible political framework able to end the dispute.

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