Brussels, 17/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - The first meeting of the high level task force between the EU and Jordan is to be held in Amman on Wednesday 22 February to discuss reforms underway in that country. The European Union hopes to accompany, promote and encourage the country's ambitious reforms and to provide enhanced cooperation once reforms are made, said Bernardino Leon, the European Union Special Envoy for the southern Mediterranean.
The meeting is to take place as major laws are presented to the Jordanian parliament, such as laws on the political parties, access to information of the public administration, the media, and the electoral law. This, Bernardino Leon added, is a message to Jordan that the EU will be encouraging it to continue its work.
New financial support.
On the occasion of the task force meeting, chaired by High Representative Catherine Ashton and Prime Minister Aoun Khassawneh, the European Union is expected to announce further EU financial support and cooperation in initiatives on growth and job creation. Although no figures were given, a European diplomatic source underlined that the EU's economic cooperation will “increase substantially”, like that of the European Investment Bank. For the very first time, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will also help Amman. (CG/transl.jl)