Welcoming representatives from Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian National Authority and Tunisia to open the launch of a new EU-funded Council of Europe initiative to promote democracy in the southern Mediterranean, Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland opened a series of meetings today that mark the launch of South Programme II.
The 3-year programme will contribute to the expansion of a common legal space between Europe and the Southern Mediterranean through the accession of countries from the region to Council of Europe conventions and networks, in key areas such as actions against human trafficking, corruption and terrorism.
“Backsliding is a constant threat,” said the Secretary General. “This is even more so in facing growing extremism and anti-democratic forces who would love nothing else than to see our efforts fail.”
He praised progress already achieved by the first South Programme (2011-2014), including schools of political studies in Morocco and Tunisia, some of whose alumni currently hold elected office; the work of pilot courts in Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan; and assistance via the Council of Europe’s constitutional law experts, the Venice Commission, in drafting Tunisia’s new constitution.
The Secretary General stressed the “demand driven” nature of the programme. “We are not here to impose ourselves – you are in the lead.”
