Ensuring sustainable democratic governance and human rights in the Southern Mediterranean

Since 2012 the Council of Europe (CoE) and the European Union (EU) have been working in close partnership to support human rights and democratic governance in the Southern Mediterranean region through the South Programme framework. The third phase of the South Programme has been launched on 18 September 2018 aiming to ensure the sustainability of earlier results of the first two phases by contributing to reinforcing human rights, the rule of law and democracy in the Southern Mediterranean region in accordance with European and other international standards and in line with national reform agendas. The Programme has a time frame of 24 months (March 2018 – February 2020).

As in the earlier phases, South Programme III includes a Project to combat corruption and economic crime - the South Neighbourhood Anti-Corruption Project (SNAC 3). It aims to support countries in the region in combating corruption, money laundering and terrorism financing. Based on results of the preceding SNAC 1 (2012-2014) and SNAC 2 (2015-2018), cooperation will continue with Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan and Palestine*. Other countries of the region will also take part in a larger regional component which will promote exchange of best practices and establishment of informal networks among the competent authorities of Southern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. The types of Project activities include strategic policy and legislative advice, risk-assessments, training, capacity and institution building and the dissemination of good practices.

• South Programme III

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* 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.