RABAT – As the Philippines and Morocco mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations on April 10 this year, Philippine Ambassador to Morocco Leslie Baja emphasized the steadily strengthening ties between the two nations in various fields, including politics, economy, culture, and education.
In commemoration of the golden jubilee, Ambassador Baja held an exclusive interview with Morocco World News (MWN) at the Philippine Embassy in Rabat, reflecting on the past five decades of cooperation and friendship.
A Meeting with Ambassador Leslie Baja
Ambassador Baja, accompanied by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Bea Antonio, welcomed MWN to his office, adorned with the flags of the Philippines and Morocco flying side-by-side and photos with world leaders, including King Mohammed VI. A veteran of the Philippine foreign service since 1986, Ambassador Baja served as the Ambassador to Switzerland from 2011 to 2015 and as the Ambassador to Egypt from 2015 to 2018 before his appointment as the Ambassador to Morocco in 2021.
Ambassador Baja’s appointment marked the Philippines’ first resident ambassador in Rabat in 27 years. The two countries officially established diplomatic relations on April 10, 1975, but the Philippines only opened its resident mission in Morocco in 1979. However, this first embassy was closed following the People Power Revolution in 1986, which ended the 20-year rule of President Ferdinand Marcos.
A second embassy was reopened in 1990 but was closed again in 1993 due to financial constraints. Ambassador Baja clarified that these closures were not due to any diplomatic discord. “It was not because of a low point in our relationship,” he explained, attributing the decision to a wider range of global and domestic issues.
During this period, the Philippines faced significant economic challenges, including high inflation, a growing fiscal deficit, and the impact of major natural disasters such as the 1990 Luzon earthquake and the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption, which claimed over 2,500 lives.
In 2019, under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte and then-Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., the Philippine government announced plans to reopen the Rabat embassy as part of a broader diplomatic expansion. Despite delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the embassy officially reopened on June 12, 2021, coinciding with the 123rd anniversary of Philippine Independence.
A Turning Point in Bilateral Relations
Ambassador Baja stated that the reopening of the embassy marked a turning point in revitalizing relations with Morocco. He described presenting his credentials to King Mohammed VI as a highlight of his diplomatic career and expressed hope for more high-level exchanges and new bilateral agreements in 2025.
Describing the relationship with Morocco as “very good,” Ambassador Baja noted steady progress in various sectors. He highlighted significant momentum in trade volumes between the two countries, particularly in the last seven to eight years.
In 2023, Moroccan exports to the Philippines amounted to approximately $13.55 million, while the Philippines exported goods worth around $37.03 million to Morocco. Key Moroccan exports included salt, sulfur, earth, and stone ($10.87 million), followed by pharmaceutical products, fish, plastics, and furniture.
Conversely, the Philippines primarily exports electrical machinery, vehicles and parts, fertilizers, apparel, and inorganic chemicals to Morocco. The Philippines’ positive trade balance reflects a strong export relationship and presents growing opportunities for Moroccan businesses in the Philippine market.
One of the key events Ambassador Baja recalled was the meeting in 2022 between then-Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. The two ministers signed an air services agreement aimed at bridging the geographical gap between the two countries and boosting tourism.
“These agreements encompass political and economic fields and support increased people-to-people exchanges, as seen in the growing number of Filipinos working in the Philippines and Moroccans visiting the Philippines,” Ambassador Baja said.
Notably, Ambassador Baja emphasized both countries’ policies towards the protection and promotion of their migrant populations. “Like the Philippines, Morocco also has a Moroccan diaspora all over the world,” he explained. “The Philippines has over 10 million Filipinos all over the world, and we have about 4,300 Filipinos residing in Morocco. I think both our countries have a common and very similar policy of protecting our nationals wherever they are.”
With a visa-free system already in place for both Filipino and Moroccan nationals, this agreement is expected to further facilitate people-to-people movement. “We expect the Philippines to become a strong destination for Moroccan students, especially with the growing interest in learning English,” he added.
Cut From the Same Cloth
“I feel very welcome in Morocco,” the Ambassador said, noting the cultural and social similarities between Filipinos and Moroccans, who share a warm, hospitable, and welcoming spirit.
A significant symbol of the shared sensibilities between the two nations was evident in this year’s commemorative events. In February, the Philippine Embassy organized a textile and fabric exhibition at the Galerie Abla Ababou in Rabat. The exhibition featured beautiful traditional Filipino textiles, some of which were embroidered by Moroccan artisans, in an artistic gesture symbolizing the fusion and friendship between the two cultures.
Like Morocco, textiles are an integral part of Filipino culture. With weaving traditions dating back to the 13th century, the textile arts of the Philippines feature a variety of materials, from abaca and indigenous cotton to pineapple fibers. The techniques and symbolism embedded in the designs reflect deep-rooted beliefs passed down through generations, despite the pressures of globalization and industrialization.
Leading up to the anniversary, the embassy launched a logo design competition to commemorate the 50 years of diplomatic relations between Morocco and the Philippines. The competition welcomed submissions from both Moroccan and Filipino participants, encouraging creative expressions of the enduring partnership.
The winning entry, created by John Ateo Bermejo, powerfully features the national emblems of both countries: the Barbary lion of Morocco and the Philippine eagle (Haribon). In the logo, the two majestic animals face the same direction, symbolizing unity and a shared vision. Encircling the animals are shapes in the vibrant colors of the Moroccan and Philippine flags, forming the number “50.”
The banner featuring this year’s emblem reads: “The eagle is known as the ruler of the skies, while the lion is the king of the land, but both animals are symbols of strength, courage, and power.”
Looking ahead, Ambassador Baja expressed confidence that the next 50 years will build upon the achievements of the past half-century. “We hope to further strengthen our economic ties and deepen our bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” he stated.
The embassy also plans to publish a commemorative book chronicling the 50th anniversary. Ambassador Baja hopes the book will serve as “a good reference for the next generation to study and really think about what to do for the next 50 years.”
As the golden jubilee celebrations continue, Ambassador Baja concluded with a note of pride, “I am sure that celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations here in Morocco is a very proud moment for all of us in the embassy and for our counterparts in Manila as well.”
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