Rabat inaugurates fifth phase of Morocco-Council of Europe neighborhood partnership

Rabat witnessed the official inauguration of the fifth phase of the Morocco–Council of Europe Neighborhood Partnership (2026-2029) on Tuesday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad hosted the significant ceremony.

The gathering brought together key representatives from various Moroccan departments and institutions involved in the partnership. Officials from the Council of Europe’s Rabat office were also present, alongside ambassadors from Council of Europe member states accredited to Morocco.

Discussions during the event were structured around two main panels. The first panel focused on the achievements and future prospects of the new Morocco–Council of Europe Neighborhood Partnership. The second delved into practical approaches designed to ensure the sustainable implementation of projects under this framework.

Since the accession of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to the Throne, the Kingdom has embarked on an extensive journey of reforms aimed at strengthening democracy, upholding human rights, and reinforcing the rule of law. Driven by a profound ambition to modernize the state, Morocco has embraced robust constitutional commitments.

This dynamic reform agenda has enabled Morocco to achieve remarkable progress. Notable advancements include the consolidation of democratic institutions enshrined in the 2011 Constitution, the enhancement of national mechanisms for human rights promotion and protection, ongoing judicial reform, and the establishment of an independent judiciary.

This Neighborhood Partnership with the Council of Europe aligns perfectly with the Sovereign’s enlightened vision. It underscores Morocco’s continuous dedication to embedding its institutions in modernity and adherence to international standards.

The partnership has also fostered deeper collaboration with Council of Europe bodies in various sectors. These include the audiovisual field, where Morocco, through HACA, has been an Executive Board Member of the European Audiovisual Observatory since 2013—making it the only non-European country from its region to hold such a position. Cooperation also extends to sports and the promotion of gender equality, a principle firmly established by Article 19 of the Moroccan Constitution.

Indeed, Morocco and the Council of Europe share a long-standing and multifaceted relationship. Morocco stands out as one of the most committed partners in the region, demonstrated by its adherence to 13 conventions and protocols across diverse areas such as Justice, Cybercrime, and Data Protection.

Furthermore, the Kingdom of Morocco is the pioneering Southern Neighborhood country and the sole representative from the African continent to hold the status of “Partner for Democracy” with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). It remains the only nation in the region to have achieved the “Partner for Local Democracy” status with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRA).