As part of its SPRING 2013 (Support for Partnership, Reform and Inclusive Growth) initiative, the
EU has agreed to fund a project to support the House of Representatives of the Moroccan
Parliament in improving standards and procedures to tackle new responsibilities as a result of
constitutional reform. The decision was announced by the European Commissioner for
Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle, in Rabat today.
Constitutional reforms undertaken by the Moroccan government in 2011 resulted in increased
powers for parliament, in terms of legislative initiative, assessment of public policy and
controlling government actions. These new prerogatives require the strengthening of analytical
tools, working methods and technical and institutional resources available to the House.
Furthermore, the reform entailed legitimate expectations of Moroccan citizens for greater
openness and interaction between the House of Representatives and the people.
In response to the resulting increase in workload and the need for improved work practices and
procedures, the House of Representatives has adopted a strategic plan for raising standards
and development, which the EU is supporting through this €3 million project funded under the
Spring programme.
The last allocation under the SPRING programme, adopted last November, amounts to €150
million, which provides additional funding to countries that have progressed towards
democratic reforms in line with the ‘more for more’ principle of the European
Neighbourhood Policy. Beneficiaries of the new SPRING allocations are: Jordan (€21 million),
Lebanon (€21 million), Libya (€5 million), Morocco (€48 million) and Tunisia (€55 million)...(link)