Brussels, 01/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 30 November, the EU and Jordan signed a science and technology (S&T) cooperation agreement, which will help structure and enhance S&T cooperation in 2010 after ratification of the agreement. During the signing of the agreement, EU Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potoènik affirmed that this “agreement is the recognition of our mutual interest in bringing together our scientific capacities to address the great challenges we face today”. Jordan is the fifth Mediterranean Partner Country to sign an S&T cooperation agreement with the EC (the other four being Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Israel). This agreement will help structure and enhance S&T cooperation in areas of common interest such as energy and sustainable development, where joint research efforts could bring common solutions and mutual benefits (e.g. reciprocal participation in research programmes, exchange of researchers, coordinated calls for proposals etc). Jordan has identified energy, sustainable development, health and agriculture as priorities for international cooperation in research. (F.B./transl.fl)