Brussels, 04/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 22 December, the European Commission adopted a new regional programme to promote political and democratic reform in the southern neighbourhood countries as part of the strategic partnership between the EU and the Council of Europe.
Initially rolled out in Morocco and Tunisia, the programme aims to support the independence and efficiency of the judiciary, promote good government, combat corruption, protect human rights, uphold democratic values and the institutions, and control people trafficking. The €4 million programme, which will begin in 2012 and run for three years, will include expert assessments and recommendations to simplify existing legislation and strategic advice on how to improve the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary. (CG/transl.jl)