A significant ceremony took place on Tuesday in Rabat, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad. This event marked the official inauguration of the fifth phase of the Morocco–Council of Europe Neighborhood Partnership, covering the period from 2026 to 2029.

The gathering brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from various government departments and institutions crucial to this partnership. Officials from the Council of Europe’s Rabat Office were present, alongside ambassadors from Council of Europe member states accredited to Morocco, underscoring the broad support for this initiative.

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

Since the ascension of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to the Throne, the Kingdom of Morocco has embarked on an extensive reform agenda. This ambitious process aims to solidify democratic principles, champion human rights, and reinforce the rule of law. Driven by a profound commitment to modernizing the state, Morocco has embraced robust constitutional obligations.

This dynamic trajectory has enabled Morocco to achieve remarkable progress. Notably, it has strengthened democratic institutions, enshrined in the 2011 Constitution, enhanced national mechanisms for promoting and safeguarding human rights, pursued comprehensive judicial reform, and firmly established the independence of the judiciary.

The Neighborhood Partnership with the Council of Europe perfectly aligns with this enlightened vision of the Sovereign. It stands as a testament to Morocco’s unwavering resolve to embed its institutions within modernity and adhere to international standards.

Furthermore, this commitment has fostered deeper collaboration with Council of Europe bodies in critical areas. These include the audiovisual sector, where Morocco, through the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA), has been a member of the Executive Council of the European Audiovisual Observatory since 2013, holding the unique distinction as the sole non-European country from its region to sit on this body. Cooperation also extends to sports and the vital promotion of gender equality, a fundamental principle enshrined in Article 19 of the Moroccan Constitution.

Indeed, Morocco and the Council of Europe share a long-standing and multifaceted relationship. Morocco distinguishes itself as one of the most dedicated partners in the region, demonstrated by its adherence to 13 conventions and protocols across diverse fields, including justice, cybercrime, and data protection.

The Kingdom of Morocco also holds the distinction of being the first Southern Neighborhood country and the sole representative from the African continent to serve as a “Partner for Democracy” within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Moreover, it remains the only nation in the region to have attained the status of “Partner for Local Democracy” with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CPLR).