Morocco and Europe kick off new neighborhood partnership in Rabat

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad hosted the formal launch of the fifth phase of the Morocco–Council of Europe Neighborhood Partnership on Tuesday in Rabat.

Delegations from relevant ministries and institutions, representatives of the Council of Europe office in Rabat, and ambassadors from Council of Europe member states accredited to Morocco gathered for the event.

The discussions centered on two key panels: one reviewing past achievements and future prospects of the partnership, and another exploring practical approaches to ensure sustainable implementation of the initiatives outlined in this new phase.

Under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco has pursued an ambitious reform agenda since ascending to the throne, aimed at strengthening democracy, upholding human rights, and reinforcing the rule of law. These efforts are rooted in constitutional commitments to modernize the state and its institutions.

Significant progress has been made, including the consolidation of democratic institutions enshrined in the 2011 Constitution, the enhancement of national mechanisms for human rights promotion and protection, ongoing judicial reforms, and the reinforcement of judicial independence.

This forward-looking vision has guided Morocco’s decision to deepen its Neighborhood Partnership with the Council of Europe, reflecting its commitment to aligning national institutions with international standards.

The partnership also highlights Morocco’s proactive engagement in areas such as audiovisual regulation—where the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) serves on the Executive Council of the European Audiovisual Observatory since 2013—and sports, as well as the promotion of gender equality, a principle enshrined in Article 19 of the Constitution.

Morocco’s long-standing and multidimensional relationship with the Council of Europe is underscored by its participation in 13 conventions and protocols across various domains, including justice, cybercrime, and data protection.

As the first Southern Neighborhood partner and the sole African representative, Morocco holds the status of “Partner for Democracy” within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). It is also the only country in the region to have achieved the “Partner for Local Democracy” status with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRA).