Launch in Rabat of new Morocco-Council of Europe neighbourhood partnership

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates hosted on Tuesday in Rabat the formal launch ceremony for the fifth phase of the Morocco–Council of Europe Neighbourhood Partnership (2026-2029).

The event brought together representatives from the various departments and institutions involved in this partnership, officials from the Council of Europe office in Rabat, and delegates from the embassies of Council of Europe member states accredited to Morocco.

Discussions were structured around two panels. The first focused on the achievements and prospects of the new partnership, while the second examined practical approaches to ensure the sustainable implementation of projects under this framework.

Since assuming the throne, His Majesty King Mohammed VI has guided Morocco through a sweeping reform process aimed at strengthening democracy, promoting human rights, and consolidating the rule of law. Driven by a deep commitment to modernising the state, the kingdom has made strong constitutional commitments.

This momentum has enabled Morocco to achieve notable progress, particularly through the consolidation of democratic institutions established by the 2011 Constitution, the reinforcement of national mechanisms for human rights promotion and protection, ongoing judicial system reform, and the affirmation of judicial independence.

It is precisely within this enlightened royal vision that the neighbourhood partnership with the Council of Europe is embedded, reflecting Morocco’s continued determination to ground its institutions in modernity and respect for international standards.

This commitment has also been expressed through deeper cooperation with Council of Europe bodies in areas such as audiovisual regulation—Morocco, represented by the High Authority of 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 that seat—sports, and the promotion of gender equality, a principle enshrined in Article 19 of the Constitution.

Indeed, Morocco and the Council of Europe have long-standing, multi-faceted ties. The kingdom stands out as one of the region’s most engaged partners, having acceded to 13 conventions and protocols covering justice, cybercrime, data protection, and other domains.

Morocco is also the first country from the southern neighbourhood and the sole representative of the African continent to hold “Partner for Democracy” status with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). It remains the only country in its region to have obtained “Partner for Local Democracy” status with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CPLR).