The Venice Commission co-operates with countries of the Southern Mediterranean region in areas such as democratic institutions and fundamental rights; constitutional justice and ordinary justice; elections, referendums and political parties.

The co-operation of the Commission with the countries of the Southern Mediterranean region includes legal opinions on draft legislation; contributions to or co-organisation of conferences, seminars, workshops, or other events; exchanges of views or contacts with authorities, institutions or independent bodies.

The co-operation activities of the Venice Commission in the Southern Mediterranean region have been mainly funded by the European Union, notably through the successive phases of the South Programme, a joint programme of the Council of Europe and the European Union, which aims to support democratic reforms in the region (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine* and Tunisia), as well as through voluntary contributions from several Council of Europe member States.

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

Regional projects:

• The University for Democracy for the Southern Mediterranean (UniDem Med) is a regional project aiming to support the reform of public administration in the Southern Mediterranean region, based on the respect of the fundamental principles of the rule of law and democracy, supported by the successive phases of the South Programme.
  Useful links:
  •  UniDem Med project information brochure  (English and Arabic)
  • Link to the list of UniDem Med seminars
  • Link to the list of UniDem Med coordination meetings
•  Intercultural workshops on democracy, launched by the Venice Commission in 2012, contribute to strengthening the rule of law in the Southern Mediterranean region through a better understanding and better application of the standards of the Venice Commission and the Council of Europe.
• Co-operation with the Organisation of Arabic Speaking Electoral Management Bodies (Arab EMBs)
  Useful links:
  • Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Venice Commission and the Organisation of Arabic Speaking Electoral Management Bodies (bilingual English/Arabic)
  • Organisation of Arabic Speaking Electoral Management Bodies (Arab EMBs)
• Project to support Independent Bodies in Tunisia (PAII-T)  (French and Arabic only) co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe (2019-2022), assisted in the establishment of independent bodies and supported them in the exercise of their mandate.
• Project to support judicial reform (AP-JUST) (French and Arabic only) co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe (2019-2023), supported the judicial reform in Tunisia.