2006/672/EC: Decision No 1/2006 of the EU-Morocco Association Council of 26 September 2006 creating a Subcommittee on Human Rights, Democratisation and Governance
Date: 2006-09-26
Institutions: EEC–Morocco Cooperation Council
Subjects: Association Council (EU), Morocco, democratisation, governance, human rights, political cooperation, rules of procedure

7.10.2006

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Official Journal of the European Union

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II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COUNCIL

DECISION No 1/2006 OF THE EU-MOROCCO ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

of 26 September 2006

creating a Subcommittee on Human Rights, Democratisation and Governance

(2006/672/EC)

THE ASSSOCIATION COUNCIL,

Having regard to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement estab-
lishing an Association between the European Communities
and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom
the other part (1), hereinafter referred to as
of Morocco, of
‘the Agreement’, and in particular Article 84 thereof,

Whereas:

and fundamental

for and promotion of democratic principles,
Respect
human rights
form an
integral and essential part of the framework governing
relations between the European Union and its Mediter-
ranean partners.

freedoms

as a result of the implementation of the Euro-Mediter-
ranean agreements and the continuation of the Euro-
Mediterranean partnership.

the partnership's priorities

Implementation of
and
approximation of legislation should be monitored. The
European Union's competencies provide a framework for
developing relations and cooperation with the Mediter-
ranean countries in a way that takes account of the need
for the whole Barcelona Process to be coherent and
balanced.

The Association Council has already decided to create
Subcommittees
to
provide an appropriate institutional framework for imple-
menting and enhancing cooperation,

the Association Committee

of

(5)

(6)

In view of their importance as an essential element of the
these matters will be discussed with due
Agreement,
attention in the various bodies
the
Agreement.

set up under

The
sets
European Union's neighbourhood policy
ambitious aims, based on a reciprocally recognised
attachment to shared values, which include democracy,
the rule of law, good governance and respect for and
promotion of human rights.

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The Subcommittee on Human Rights, Democratisation and
Governance is hereby set up and its Rules of Procedure, as
set out in the Annex, are hereby adopted.

The Subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Asso-
ciation Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting.
The Subcommittee shall have no decision-making power. It may
however submit proposals to the Association Committee.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

The European Union's relations with the southern Medi-
terranean countries are becoming increasingly complex

(1) OJ L 70, 18.3.2000, p. 2.

Issues within the remit of
the Subcommittee can also be
addressed at higher levels in the political dialogue between
the European Union and Morocco.

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The Association Committee shall take any other action needed to ensure that the Subcommittee operates
properly and inform the Association Council accordingly.

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

Article 2

Done at Brussels, 26 September 2006.

For the Association Council
The President

E. TUOMIOJA

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ANNEX

Rules of Procedure EU-Morocco Subcommittee No 7 Human Rights, Democratisation and Governance

1. Composition and chair

The Subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and
representatives of the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco and shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

The Subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each
meeting. The Subcommittee shall have no decision-making power. It may, however, submit proposals to the Asso-
ciation Committee.

3. Topics

The Subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. For
matters concerning human rights, democratisation and governance included in the EU-Morocco Neighbourhood
Action Plan, the Subcommittee shall be the main technical follow-up mechanism. It shall assess progress on appro-
ximation of laws,
implementation and enforcement. Cooperation in public administration matters shall also be
discussed. The Subcommittee shall evaluate progress and examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed
below and shall suggest steps that might be taken.

(a) The rule of law, good governance and democracy, including in particular: strengthening democracy and the rule of

law; the independence of the judiciary and access to justice and modernisation of justice.

(b) Pursuit of ratification and implementation of the principal

international conventions on human rights and
fundamental freedoms, and the protocols to those conventions. Implementation of reporting obligations and
progress in review of reservations.

(c) Reinforcement of national administrative and institutional capacity.

The above list is not exhaustive and other relevant subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added
by the Association Committee, in particular as regards implementation of the regional programme.

The Subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco shall act
jointly as permanent secretaries of the Subcommittee.

All communications concerning the Subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

The Subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require and at least once a year. A meeting may be convened
on the basis of a request from either party, channelled through their secretary, who will pass the request onto the
other party. Upon receipt of a request for a Subcommittee meeting, the secretary of the other party shall reply within
15 working days.

In cases of particular urgency, Subcommittee meetings may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of
both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Meetings of the Subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair
will be informed of the intended composition of each party's delegation.

If both parties agree, the Subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide specific information.

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6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included on the Subcommittee's agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

A provisional agenda shall be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the secretary in charge
to his or her counterpart not later than 10 days before the beginning of the meeting.

Items for inclusion in the provisional agenda must be notified to the secretaries at least 15 days before the beginning
of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting.
To take account of special and/or urgent cases,
later notification and supply of documentation may be allowed,
provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the Subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes,
including the
Subcommittee's proposals, shall be forwarded by the secretaries of the Subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the
Association Committee.

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the Subcommittee shall not be public and its proceedings shall not be made
public.