Philippine Ambassador Hails ‘Bright Future’ for 50-Year-Old Ties with Morocco
In an interview with MAP, the ambassador emphasized the depth and breadth of cooperation between the two nations over the past five decades, citing political dialogue, trade growth, cultural exchange, and strong people-to-people connections.
“We have evolved across all areas of cooperation — political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people,” he said. “Our political ties are solid, both bilaterally and multilaterally, especially within the framework of the United Nations.”
On the economic front, the ambassador highlighted a positive trajectory in trade. “Trade between our two countries has grown over the last seven or eight years, and we hope this upward trend continues,” he added.
Tourism between the two countries is also expanding, alongside the growing presence of the Filipino community in Morocco — estimated at around 4,300 individuals — the largest in Africa, Baja underlined.
Looking ahead, the ambassador identified economic and educational cooperation as key pillars for strengthening future ties.
While no major investments have yet materialized, discussions are underway between the Philippine Board of Investments and Morocco’s Investment and Export Development Agency (AMDIE) to promote business-to-business engagement. “We aim to bring together the private sectors of both countries in the coming months,” he noted.
In the educational field, he recalled that three memoranda of understanding have been signed between Moroccan and Philippine universities since the reopening of the Philippine Embassy in Rabat in 2020, noting that these agreements include student and faculty exchanges and potential research collaborations. “Currently, two Moroccan students are participating in an academic exchange program in the Philippines,” he recalled.
Tackling the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, the ambassador said that a series of cultural events have been scheduled throughout the year to commemorate the golden jubilee of bilateral ties.
In this regard, Baja said that the celebrations began in February with a textile and fabric exhibition at the Abla Ababou Gallery in Rabat, featuring traditional Philippine fabrics embroidered by Moroccan artisans — a symbolic fusion of both cultures.
Mid-year, a Filipino cultural troupe will perform in Rabat to mark the Philippines’ National Day and the milestone anniversary, the ambassador noted, adding that the year will conclude with the publication of a book chronicling the historical evolution of Morocco–Philippines relations, including interactions that predate formal diplomatic ties established in 1975.
The ambassador also underlined the close coordination between Morocco and the Philippines at the multilateral level, particularly at the United Nations, where both countries advocate for peace, sustainable development. “We both advocate for peace and prosperity and these are the kind of values that we share not just bilaterally but multilaterally”, he underlined.
Both countries consider their large diaspora communities a cornerstone of national development and diplomatic outreach. Migration, therefore, remains a central area of mutual interest, Baja underlined.
This month, the Philippines will host a high-level meeting of middle-income countries — a follow-up to last year’s gathering held in Rabat, the ambassador said, expressing confidence that Morocco will send a strong delegation, underscoring the importance of South-South cooperation in advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
