Philippines Marks New Era In Relations With Morocco As Embassy Reopens In Rabat After Almost 30 Years
The Philippine embassy in Morocco was closed in 1986, reopened in 1990 but was shut down again in 1993 due to budgetary constraints.
Philippine Ambassador to Morocco Leslie Baja presented his credentials to King Mohammed VI together with 38 other ambassadors on Jan. 17 as the country’s embassy in Rabat reopened after being closed for almost 30 years.
The reopening of embassy marked a new era in Philippine-Morocco relations.
Baja is the first envoy to Rabat in three decades.
In a ceremony steeped in tradition, Baja was ushered to the Throne room to meet the King at the Royal Palace in Rabat during the presentation of credentials.
After presenting his letters of credence from President Duterte, Baja extended the President’s best wishes and hope for a new era in Philippine-Morocco relations.
Also present during the ceremony was Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, who received Baja in June last year.
Baja, who arrived in Morocco in May 2021, is a veteran diplomat in the Philippine foreign service, having started in the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1986 as a casual employee. He has served as ambassador to Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti.
At present, aside from Morocco, Baja is accredited as non-resident ambassador to Mauritania and is awaiting an opportunity to also present credentials in Guinea, Mali and Senegal.
The Philippines established diplomatic relations with Morocco on April 10, 1975. This was followed by the first opening of the Philippine embassy – although there is no record of exactly when – only to close in 1986 after the first EDSA people power revolution.
It reopened a second time in 1990, but closed again in 1993 due to budgetary constraints.
The embassy reopened for a third time on Dec. 27, 2019, but became only operational in October 2020 after COVID-19 restrictions were eased in Rabat.
The embassy is gearing up for the 50th anniversary in 2025.
There are approximately 4,600 Filipinos in Morocco, mostly employed in the domestic, beauty and wellness, and skilled sectors.
In his first meeting with the Filipino community in June last year, Baja paid tribute to the good image of Filipinos in Morocco, describing them as the “better ambassadors of the Philippines in Morocco.”
A number of agreements are awaiting signature between the two countries in the areas of air services, cooperation between news agencies and diplomatic academies, and political consultations.
At least two ministerial visits are being planned, which would convene the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation.
