In the thrust to enhance the co-operation within the Council of Europe and foster dialogue between North and South, Romania joined the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe. As of September 2016, Romania joins a list of 17 countries who share the purpose to promote gender empowerment, youth participation and democratic consolidation through intercultural dialogue in cooperation with civil society, local authorities, governments and parliaments.
Following developments in the Euro Mediterranean region and a refocusing of the Centre’s mission to contribute to the Council of Europe’s policy towards its neighbouring regions, NCS activities have been focusing on promoting and transmitting the values of democracy and human rights that are central to the Council of Europe's mission in the southern neighbourhood.
Currently, the North-South Centre of the CoE’s member States are Andorra, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Holy See, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Morocco, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia and Spain.