Since 2012, the Council of Europe and the European Union have been working in close partnership with Southern Mediterranean partners (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine* and Tunisia) to advance human rights and the rule of law in the region. This cooperation is based on a long-standing partnership, shared values of the two organisations, and is aligned with the national reform agendas of the partner countries of the South Programme.

Anchored in the Memorandum of Understanding of 2007 between the Council of Europe and the European Union, this partnership also stems from the Statement of Intent of 2014 in which both organisations recall their commitment to mobilise capacities and resources to further coordinate the implementation of their policy goals in the neighbourhood and enlargement regions. The South Programme is aligned with the New Agenda for the Mediterranean and the new New Pact for the Mediterranean of the European Union, as well as the Council of Europe Policy towards its neighbouring regions.

Building on the success and lessons learnt from the successive phases of the South Programme¹ (South Programme I (2012-2014), South Programme II (2015-2017), South Programme III (2018-2020), South Programme IV (2020-2022), and South Programme V (2022-2025)), the South Programme VI (2025-2028) will continue to promote the progressive enlargement of the common legal space between Europe and the Southern Mediterranean through supporting reforms in the region in line with international human rights and rule of law standards.

In particular, the sixth phase of the programme will contribute towards creating more favourable conditions for enhanced human security and sustainable economic prosperity in the region. Its key priority areas include data protection and artificial intelligence for sustained economic development and digital governance, as well as countering transnational organised crime with a focus on combating trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling.

The Quick Response Mechanism (QRM) will continue to provide expertise to align national legislations with international standards, based on request of partner authorities in the region. In addition to specialised technical training, the Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) and the Human Rights Education for Youth (HEY) programmes will be instrumental in providing training on international standards, addressing in parallel public authorities, legal and other professionals as well as youth and the civil society.

*This designation shall not be construed as a designation of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of Council of Europe member States on this issue.

¹ The South Programme is a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union, financed by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.