The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad hosted a formal launch event in Rabat for the fifth phase of the Morocco–Council of Europe Neighborhood Partnership (2026–2029). The ceremony brought together representatives from relevant ministries and institutions, officials from the Council of Europe’s Rabat office, and ambassadors from European Union member states accredited to Morocco.
Discussions centered on two key panels: one reviewing the achievements and future outlook of the new Neighborhood Partnership, and another exploring practical strategies to ensure the sustainable implementation of its initiatives.
Under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco has pursued a sweeping agenda of reforms aimed at strengthening democracy, advancing human rights, and reinforcing the rule of law. Since the 2011 Constitution, the country has made significant strides, including the consolidation of democratic institutions, the enhancement of national human rights mechanisms, judicial reform, and the safeguarding of judicial independence.
This forward-looking vision aligns perfectly with the newly launched partnership with the Council of Europe, reflecting Morocco’s commitment to aligning its institutions with international standards. The collaboration spans critical areas such as audiovisual regulation (Morocco’s High Authority for Audiovisual Communication is the only non-European and regional member of the European Audiovisual Observatory’s Executive Council since 2013), sports, and gender equality—a principle enshrined in Article 19 of the Constitution.
Morocco and the Council of Europe share a long-standing, multidimensional relationship. The Kingdom stands out as one of the most engaged partners in the region, having ratified 13 conventions and protocols covering justice, cybercrime, data protection, and more. Notably, Morocco is the first country in the Southern neighborhood and the sole African representative to hold the status of “Partner for Democracy” within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). It is also the only nation in the region to have earned the “Partner for Local Democracy” designation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.
