The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad served as the venue on Tuesday for the official commencement of the fifth cycle of the Morocco–Council of Europe Neighborhood Partnership, spanning the 2026-2029 period.
This high-level gathering brought together key institutional stakeholders, representatives from the Council of Europe’s office in Rabat, and diplomats from member nations stationed in the Kingdom.
Discussions during the event were organized around two primary sessions. The first focused on the milestones already reached and the future goals of this bilateral collaboration, while the second examined practical methods for ensuring the long-term success of the initiatives planned for the coming years.
A strategic vision for democratic reform
Since King Mohammed VI ascended to the Throne, Morocco has pursued a comprehensive reform agenda. This vision emphasizes the consolidation of democratic principles, the protection of human rights, and the strengthening of the rule of law through significant constitutional commitments. This partnership reflects the King’s ongoing strategy to align national institutions with modern international standards and global best practices.
These efforts have led to major breakthroughs, including the empowerment of democratic institutions under the 2011 Constitution and the advancement of judicial independence. The collaboration with the Council of Europe is a testament to the Kingdom’s dedication to these values.
Expanding cooperation across key sectors
The relationship extends into vital sectors such as sports, audiovisual media, and gender equality—the latter being a core principle enshrined in Article 19 of the Constitution. Notably, Morocco, through the HACA, remains the only non-European member of the Executive Board of the European Audiovisual Observatory, a position it has held since 2013.
Morocco’s deep-rooted relationship with the Council of Europe is evidenced by its participation in 13 separate conventions and protocols covering diverse areas such as justice, cybercrime, and data protection. This makes the Kingdom one of the most active and committed partners in the region.
Furthermore, the Kingdom holds a unique position on the continent as the first southern neighbor and the sole African nation to hold “Partner for Democracy” status with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). It also remains the only country in its region to have achieved the status of “Partner for Local Democracy” with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CPLR).
