The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad hosted a formal launch ceremony in Rabat for the fifth phase of the Morocco–Council of Europe Neighborhood Partnership (2026–2029).

The event brought together officials from relevant ministries and institutions, representatives of the Council of Europe Office in Rabat, and ambassadors from European Union member states accredited to Morocco.

The discussions centered on two key panels: one reviewing the achievements of this partnership and future prospects, and another exploring practical approaches for sustainable project implementation within the framework.

Since ascending to the throne, His Majesty King Mohammed VI has spearheaded a sweeping reform agenda aimed at deepening democracy, advancing human rights, and reinforcing the rule of law. Guided by a vision of state modernization, Morocco has adopted robust constitutional commitments to drive these changes.

Notable progress has been made, including the strengthening of democratic institutions enshrined in the 2011 Constitution, the enhancement of national human rights protection mechanisms, ongoing judicial reform, and the safeguarding of judicial independence. These milestones reflect the Kingdom’s unwavering dedication to institutional modernization and alignment with international standards.

The newly launched partnership underscores Morocco’s continued resolve to anchor its governance in contemporary best practices and global norms. It also highlights the deepening collaboration with Council of Europe bodies in areas such as audiovisual regulation—where Morocco, through the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA), holds a seat on the European Audiovisual Observatory’s Executive Council since 2013 and remains the only non-European and regional member—as well as sports and gender equality, a principle enshrined in Article 19 of the Constitution.

Morocco’s long-standing and multifaceted ties with the Council of Europe are marked by its active engagement, reflected in its ratification of 13 conventions and protocols spanning justice, cybercrime, and data protection, among others.

The Kingdom stands out as one of the most committed partners in the region, being the first Southern Neighborhood country and the sole African representative to hold the status of “Partner for Democracy” within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Additionally, it is the only nation in the region to have earned the “Partner for Local Democracy” designation with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRAE).