OSCE Chairmanship welcomes comprehensive reform initiative in Morocco, outlines potential for OSCE support

VIENNA, 25 March 2011 – The Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council, Ambassador Renatas Norkus, speaking on behalf of the Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship, today welcomed the comprehensive democratic reform initiative announced by His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, earlier this month, and underscored the readiness of the OSCE community to share its own experience and expertise in democratic reform processes with the Organization’s Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation.

“The OSCE welcomes the initiative put forward by His Majesty the King of Morocco to strengthen democratic institutions in the country.  The goals of this initiative, including an independent judiciary, a popularly elected head of government, and the further empowerment of local communities and regions, fully reflect the values of the OSCE and the spirit of our Mediterranean Partnership, and we stand ready to assist, upon request, in their further development and implementation,” Norkus said.

Speaking at a meeting of the OSCE participating States with the Organization’s Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation, he stressed that if fully and consistently implemented, such reforms could contribute effectively to the promotion of good governance, gender equality and respect for human rights throughout the country.

Morocco is one of six OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation – the relationship going back to the Helsinki Final Act of 1975.  At the December 2010 Astana Summit, OSCE heads of state and government noted that security in the OSCE area is “inextricably linked” to that of the Mediterranean.  Despite not being bound by OSCE commitments, the Partners have been encouraged to consider their voluntary implementation and to draw from the OSCE’s experience and expertise.

In a 15 February 2011 speech to the United Nations Security Council, the OSCE Chairperson in Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, stressed the OSCE’s readiness to share its experience with its Partners for Co-operation, including in the Mediterranean region.

“The participating States of the OSCE cannot and should not seek to guide the course of events in these countries – their citizens must write their own destinies. But to the extent our partners believe it would be useful, the OSCE stands ready to share its own experience in helping participating States to manage difficult democratic transition processes, to build strong democratic institutions and promote vibrant civil societies, and to prepare and conduct free and fair democratic elections,” he said.

Recalling the Chairperson’s words, Norkus said that, if asked by the Moroccan side, the OSCE through its institutions, in particular the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), could offer its expertise to Morocco in areas such as electoral legislation and constitutional reform.