EU: Morocco's communal elections, first step for implementation of advanced regionalization

Brussels - The polls expected in Morocco on Friday are a first step for the implementation of advanced regionalization that devolves larger competences and autonomy to regions and communes, said on Thursday the European Union.

These elections, the first local polls since the adoption of the constitution in 2011, will help start to implement the advanced regionalization project, said the EU spokeswoman for foreign affairs, Catherine Ray.

Answering a question from MAP, the spokeswoman added it is a major stage for Morocco, since the councils of regions will be for the first time elected through direct universal suffrage, noting that the EU's high-representative for foreign policy, Federica Mogherini, "has decided to dispatch a team of electoral experts in response to an invitation by Moroccan authorities".

She also insisted that Morocco is an important partner of the European Union at the regional and international levels for the Maghreb's stability, security, prosperity, neighborliness and regional integration.