Antigua and Barbuda establishes diplomatic relations with Kingdom of Morocco

United Nations, New York, July 3…The government of Prime Minister W. Baldwin Spencer established formal diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Morocco here today, with the signing of a Joint Communiqué expressing the desire to develop and strengthen relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

“This is a culmination of a courtship by the Kingdom of Morocco, which first expressed its interest in establishing diplomatic relations in 2006,” said UN Ambassador Dr. John W. Ashe, who signed the communiqué on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda.

“My government, which is seeking to develop and strengthen relations of friendship and cooperation with Antigua and Barbuda, is pleased that we have been able to conclude this agreement in such a relatively short period,” said Ambassador El Mostafa Sahel, Morocco's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

During the signing, Ambassador Sahel pointed out that his country, much like Antigua and Barbuda, is heavily dependent on tourism and therefore both countries can learn from each other's experiences. Additionally, Morocco is hoping to improve on its connections with the Caribbean region and expressed the hope that both countries will benefit from closer bilateral cooperation.

Morocco is situated in North Africa at the western edge of the Islamic world. It dominates the southern shore of the Straits of Gibraltar and has been an important strategic prize since ancient times.

Though a popular tourist destination for Europeans, Morocco's strongest economic sector is agriculture. Other strong sectors in the Moroccan economy include mining (phosphates, manganese, lead, silver, and copper), energy, manufacturing (which includes handicrafts), construction and services.

The head of government is His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who has ruled Morocco since the death of his father, King Hassan II, in July 1999. The latest ruler in a long dynastic line of Alawites, Mohammed VI is Morocco's constitutional monarch and - because of his direct lineage with Prophet Mohammed, the founder of Islam - also serves as his country's spiritual and moral guide.

Digital photo compliments Antigua Barbuda UN Mission

1.     UN Ambassador Dr. John W. Ashe (left) and his Moroccan counterpart, Ambassador El Mostafa Sahel, signed the Joint Communique establishing diplomatic relations between Antigua and Barbuda and the Kingdom of Morocco