Effective as of 1st of April 2024, Lebanon joins the Enlarged Partial Agreement of the North-South Centre as an Associate Member.  

The Minister of Justice emphasized that “Lebanon's participation at the North-South Centre will deepen cooperation with the Council of Europe and contribute to further promote the universal values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, including among the younger generation, thus contributing to a regional area of prosperity and stability around the two shores of the Mediterranean”.

Lebanon's status as an associate member bolsters the representation of Southern Neighbourhood countries within the North-South Centre, that already includes Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia as member states. Lebanon's inclusion aligns with the NSC's new strategy to amplify the Council of Europe's Neighbourhood Policy in the Southern Mediterranean by raising awareness about the values and standards of the Council of Europe among the youth, a cornerstone to ensure the sustainability of democratic reforms.

This milestone also aligns with the objective of enlarging the North-South Centre to other Council of Europe member states and third countries, including countries from the Southern Neighbourhood. To this end, the Associate Member status has been created to facilitate a better understanding and appreciation of the Centre's work.