14/12/2012 Political Affairs and Democracy
Strasbourg, 14.12.2012 – The Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy meeting today in Turin has declassified an introductory memorandum on the evaluation of the partnership for democracy with the Parliament of Morocco on the basis of a report by Luca Volontè (Italy, EPP/CD). Karim Ghellab, President of the Chamber of Representatives of the Parliament of Morocco, participated in the exchange of views on this subject. On 21 June 2011 the Parliamentary Assembly granted the status of Partner for Democracy to the Parliament of Morocco in order to establish institutional co-operation with the parliaments of non-member States in neighbouring regions. At the time of his visit to Morocco this April, the rapporteur stressed the need for the country to honour the undertakings made on obtaining its Partner for Democracy status. He also commended the country for its first steps towards change, particularly with the adoption in July 2011 of a new constitution, but at the same time expressed concern about other outstanding issues. The country has embarked on a major process of reforms, but the path is not yet at an end.