Agadir – Ecuador has reaffirmed its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Western Sahara, describing it as the “only serious, credible and realistic” proposal for reaching a lasting settlement to the lingering dispute.
Speaking Friday before the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee in New York, Ecuador’s representative said the country supports the Moroccan autonomy proposal in line with Security Council Resolution 2797.
“In accordance with Security Council resolution 2797, Ecuador supports the Moroccan autonomy proposal, which is the only serious, credible and realistic proposal to move towards a lasting solution,” the representative said.
Ecuador also reaffirmed its support for the UN-led political process and the efforts of UN Secretary-General António Guterres to reach a definitive political settlement.
The Ecuadorian representative called on the parties to participate in negotiations “in good faith and without preconditions,” based on the Moroccan initiative, with the aim of reaching a “definitive and mutually acceptable” solution.
Ecuador’s position adds to its previous support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative. In April, Ecuador reaffirmed the same position in a joint statement issued following talks in Rabat between Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld.
Deepening bilateral cooperation
The latest position comes as Morocco and Ecuador have expanded cooperation in economic, diplomatic, and development-related fields.
Morocco was recently the guest of honor at the fifth edition of Ecuador’s International Cooperation Fair, Territorial Edition, which took place between September 10 and 11 in Ibarra.
AMCI presented Morocco’s approach to South-South cooperation during the four, highlighting Rabat’s focus on innovation, technology, knowledge sharing, and capacity building.
Moroccan representatives also took part in discussions on South-South and triangular cooperation, new partnership mechanisms, solidarity, and territorial resilience.
Morocco’s participation in the Ibarra fair followed a series of steps to strengthen its ties with Ecuador.
In May, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen trade and investment cooperation. The agreement focuses on promoting mutual investments, facilitating trade, and encouraging closer cooperation between economic operators in both countries.
It followed talks between Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour and Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Luis Alberto Jaramello in Rabat.
The two sides also discussed the potential for deeper economic integration, including the possibility of a future free trade agreement and bilateral investment treaty, according to Morocco’s Industry and Trade Ministry.
