Since the signing of the Association Agreement in 1996, Morocco represents an essential partner for the EU to promote regional prosperity and fight against destabilizing challenges. The 2019 Joint Declaration highlights the shared values between the two partners and their common multi-faceted ambitions through an eight-pillar vision in terms of economic and human, inclusive and fair development; innovation and sharing of knowledge; protection of the environment and sustainable development; justice; security; intercultural dialogue; mobility and migration; human rights and good governance.

The EU is Morocco’s main trading partner. Conversely, the EU’s trade with Morocco is its most important among the countries of the Southern Neighbourhood. It is also a crucial regional ally to fight against climate change and build a greener and cleaner economy in the Mediterranean Basin. In 2022, the EU and Morocco signed a comprehensive Green Partnership, the first agreement signed by the EU with a third partner in the context of the EU Green Deal.

To support Morocco’s development ambitions, the EU Economic and Investment Plan launched in 2021 is expected to mobilise up to €8.4 billion in investments in the country by 2027. In addition, following the disastrous earthquake that hit the Marrakech region in September 2023, the EU has granted to finance, together with the European Investment Bank (EIB), Morocco’s post-earthquake reconstruction program for a loan sum of 1 billion over 5 years.

Since the signing of the Association Agreement in 2002, the general framework for cooperation between the EU and Algeria has focused particularly on economy and trade, as the EU has become Algeria's main trading partner and an important partner to support sustainable development.

In parallel, the EU and Algeria have developed a permanent and structural energy cooperation that, in the context of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, has become of paramount importance. Since 2015, the EU-Algeria strategic partnership in the field of energy seeks to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, which will help the partners to fulfil their commitments under the Paris agreement on climate change.

Moreover, EU Algeria relations have increasingly widened, including security, migration, and regional cooperation.

A Privileged Partner since 2012, Tunisia remains the focus of EU political engagement. Bilateral relations have grown over the support for socio-economic reforms to create the conditions for a prosperous and stable Tunisia. In order to support the Tunisian people in a difficult economic and financial situation following the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU has provided EUR 600 million in bilateral financial assistance since 2021.

Bilateral discussions aim to strengthen the State’s capacity to foster an inclusive and stable growth.  In July 2023, the EU and Tunisia signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic and Global Partnership aimed at deepening the EU-Tunisia partnership.

Aside from the economic aspect, bilateral cooperation promotes cultural exchanges and mobility programmes, according to the Mobility Partnership signed in 2014, and together with the support for safe and legal migratory schemes.

Since the uprisings of 2011, the EU remains committed to supporting Libya's journey towards lasting peace and stability. Through diplomatic action and bilateral support, the EU seeks to assist the country and the Libyan people to resume the transition to democracy. The EU fully supports the United Nations (UN)-led mediation efforts in the Libyan crisis.

Starting from 2011, the EU has allocated over €1.65 billion in aid support. Nonetheless, many security and economic challenges still afflict the daily lives of citizens across the country. The EU works to support Libyan leaders to urgently agree over the necessary reforms needed to preserve stability and the economy and make progress in national reconciliation and unity. Returning legitimacy to the institutions through national elections is key to build a stable, secure, united and prosperous Libya.

The EU has been placing great importance on promoting the role of civil society’s role in creating an inclusive and open local political landscape. In the Southern Neighbourhood, support to NGOs has increased and consultation fora have been established to promote a more structured dialogue between the EU and civil society organisations.

To implement its commitment, in 2013 the EU promoted the creation of the Civil Society Facility for the Mediterranean (CSFM). Revitalized in 2023 to deepen the EU’s engagement, the CSFM provides a structure for open and sustained dialogue between local civil society, the authorities, and the EU. Given the rich cultural and socio-political landscape in the Maghreb countries, CSFM reaches out to a wide net across the Southern Neighbourhood. The CSFM trainings and working groups aim to create entry points for local civil society to influence and tailor EU programmes in the region.

For each country, the discussion revolves around the main themes of their national Mediterranean Partnership.