Brussels, 10/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 9 October, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström, Jordan's Minister for Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh and the ministers for migration from the 12 EU member states participating in this partnership for mobility (Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Sweden) signed a joint statement establishing the framework of future cooperation in the area of migration and mobility. Jordan is the first country from the Middle East to sign this type of partnership. “The EU and Jordan will step up efforts to better prevent human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants while at the same time paving the way for the start of negotiations on an agreement to facilitate the procedures for the issuing of Schengen visas to citizens of Jordan. The partnership will also support Jordan's remarkable efforts in providing stability and refuge in the region”, said Malmström.
On the same day, during their 11th Association Council, the EU and Jordan also decided to set up a dialogue on security, which will meet regularly in order to assess the situation and help pave the way for better cooperation between the EU and Jordan on security and the fight against terrorism. “We have decided to begin a dialogue to confront together the threats (…) that are of common concern - the fight against terrorism, prevention, foreign fighters and the control of our terrorists”, said Italy's Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini.
Mogherini and Judeh also discussed the “advanced status” of the partnership, economic and social reforms in Jordan, and progress to be achieved on their trade agreement.
They also discussed the international situation, especially as regards Islamic State and the Middle East. In Judeh's view, the Israeli-Palestinian crisis remains “the big challenge to be addressed”. “We must do everything possible, we in Jordan, the Arab countries, the EU and others to bring it about that [what happened in the past] does not happen again”, he added, speaking out against the destruction and death. “That was a nightmare for everyone”, he said. With the al-Aqsa mosque being the place of clashes on 8 October, Judeh underlined that he would not accept provocation on Islamic holy places, and called on Israel to cease the provocations immediately. “The conflict should not become a religious conflict,” he added. Questioned on the recognition of the State of Palestine, Judeh said that the most important issue was the end to occupation and for the State to see the light of day. Mogherini welcomed the fact that a meeting of the Palestinian government was reportedly held in Gaza on 9 October - the first since 2007.
Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle will visit Jordan on 13 October. (CG)