New Morocco-council of europe neighbourhood partnership launched in Rabat

In Rabat on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates officially launched the fifth phase of the Morocco-Council of Europe Neighborhood Partnership, covering the period 2026-2029. This new cooperation framework aims to build on previous achievements and deepen joint projects across several strategic areas.

The ceremony brought together representatives from Moroccan ministries and institutions involved in the partnership, officials from the Council of Europe office in Rabat, and delegates from embassies of Council of Europe member states accredited to Morocco.

Discussions during the event focused on two main panels. The first reviewed the accomplishments and future outlook of the new Morocco-Council of Europe Neighborhood Partnership, while the second explored practical approaches to ensuring the sustainable implementation of projects under this framework.

Since King Mohammed VI ascended to the throne, Morocco has embarked on a comprehensive reform process aimed at strengthening democracy, promoting human rights, and reinforcing the rule of law. Driven by a deep commitment to modernising the state, the kingdom has made significant constitutional commitments.

This momentum has led to notable progress, including the consolidation of democratic institutions enshrined in the 2011 Constitution, the enhancement of national mechanisms for human rights promotion and protection, ongoing judicial system reforms, and the affirmation of judicial independence.

The neighbourhood partnership with the Council of Europe is firmly rooted in this enlightened royal vision, reflecting Morocco’s continuous determination to align its institutions with modernity and international standards.

This cooperation has also deepened engagement with Council of Europe bodies in areas such as audiovisual media—Morocco, through the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA), has been a member of the executive council of the European Audiovisual Observatory since 2013 and is the only non-European country from its region to hold a seat—sport, and the promotion of gender equality, a principle enshrined in Article 19 of the Constitution.

Morocco and the Council of Europe share longstanding and multifaceted ties. Morocco stands out as one of the region’s most committed partners, having acceded to 13 conventions and protocols covering justice, cybercrime, data protection, and other fields.

The kingdom is also the first country from the southern neighbourhood and the sole African nation to hold “Partner for Democracy” status in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Additionally, Morocco remains the only country in the region to have obtained “Partner for Local Democracy” status with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRA).