Ecuador and Sweden have signed an agreement that allows WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to be questioned by Swedish authorities at the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
Assange has been living in the Ecuadorian embassy in London since he was accused of rape three years ago.
The agreement was signed in the capital of the South American country, Quito, after half a year of negotiations.
"This is undoubtedly an instrument that strengthens mutual relations and will facilitate the execution of judicial matters such as the questioning of Assange," Ecuador's foreign ministry said.
Assange took refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy building in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, which is seeking him for questioning in connection with allegations of sexual assault and rape of two women in 2010. Od denies the allegations.
Assange says he fears Sweden will extradite him to the United States where he could be tried for the release of secret military and diplomatic documents five years ago on WikiLeaks, one of the biggest leaks in US history.
Britain, which accuses Ecuador of obstructing the judiciary by granting asylum and allowing Assange to remain in the London embassy, welcomed the deal.
"It is now up to the Swedish prosecutor to decide how to proceed with this judicial case," said a spokeswoman for the British Foreign Office.
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