Brussels, 08/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - In Jordan on Sunday 7 October, the EU and Jordan signed an agreement of €40 million which will fund government projects in the field of development and good governance (Good Governance and Development Contract). The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, said that this aid “should be seen as an additional sign of support and encouragement for the continued political reform process”. The European aid will go to support political, economic, social and legislative reforms. According to the Minister for Planning and International Cooperation, Jafar Hassan, quoted by Petra, half of the money will be transferred by the end of the year, and the rest in 2013.
Barroso also paid tribute to the commitment of King Abdullah II of Jordan to carry out political, economic and social reforms, which “will make democracy, the justice system and the rule of law stronger”. He explained that it is vital to build an “inclusive, participatory and open political system” to ensure that the reforms are a success.
The Commission President stressed that the EU is prepared to deploy an observation mission for the forthcoming general elections, “which should be inclusive and broad-based”, with the King having dissolved the parliament on 5 October, further to his promise to launch political reforms. The date of the elections has not yet been announced, but the King hopes that they will take place before the end of the year. Barroso visited the refugee camp of Zaatari, home to many Syrians. The EU has already channelled €16.8 million to help the Jordanian authorities cope with the Syrian crisis. Barroso has announced an additional €4.6 million of support to UNICEF to educate refugee children (see other article). (CG/transl.fl)