Ecuador has expressed its support for Morocco's sovereignty over its entire territory, including the Sahara region. This stance was announced in a joint communiqué issued after a meeting between Ecuadorian and Moroccan foreign ministers on November 9 in Rabat. The communiqué stated that Quito considers the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the only serious, credible, and realistic solution to the regional dispute.
The joint communiqué emphasized that Ecuador supports Morocco's sovereignty over its entire territory, including the Sahara region. This position aligns with Morocco's approach to resolving the Sahara issue, which involves granting autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. Ecuador's stance is seen as a significant development in the diplomatic relations between the two countries, with both sides seeking to strengthen their cooperation on issues of common interest.
Ecuador has announced several measures to concretize its position on the bilateral level. These include a visit by the Ecuadorian ambassador to the Sahara region and actions in line with its position at the diplomatic, economic, and consular levels. Ecuador's ambassador will visit the region to demonstrate Quito's commitment to its new stance. Ecuador also maintains consular coverage across Morocco's national territory.
Morocco has welcomed Ecuador's commitments, which provide an operational dimension to Quito's expressed position. The Moroccan government has expressed satisfaction with Ecuador's support, which it sees as a positive development in their bilateral relations. This support is expected to enhance cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the economic and commercial spheres.
Ecuador and Morocco aim to develop their economic and commercial exchanges, particularly in Morocco's Southern Provinces. Ecuador seeks to promote cooperation opportunities in the Sahara region, focusing on investment, trade, and productive development. This approach also aims to enable Ecuadorian economic operators to explore new opportunities in African markets, leveraging cooperation with Morocco.
The two countries have demonstrated a shared commitment to strengthening their diplomatic and economic ties. By supporting Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara region, Ecuador has taken a clear stance on the issue. This position is likely to have implications for the regional dynamics and may influence the positions of other countries on the Sahara dispute.
The announcement by Ecuador has been seen as a significant boost to Morocco's position on the Sahara issue. Morocco has long maintained that the Sahara region is an integral part of its territory, and Ecuador's support is seen as a validation of this stance. The two countries are expected to continue their cooperation and strengthen their bilateral relations in the coming months.
Key points
- Ecuador supports Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara region and considers the autonomy initiative as the only serious solution to the regional dispute.
