Brussels, 17/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - At the end of her meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan in Brussels on Wednesday 16 March, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini underlined the EU's resolve to strengthen and broaden the long-standing partnership between the EU and Jordan “in the light of the challenging domestic and regional situation”. Mogherini will moreover visit Jordan on Tuesday 22 March, after she has been to Lebanon the previous day.
According to a press release from the European External Action Service (EEAS), Mogherini and Abdullah II discussed the region's political and security situation during their meeting - including the efforts made since the donors conference on Syria that was held in London on 4 February (see EUROPE 11484), “in order to build up the countries' resilience and capacity to face the consequences of the crisis while developing its own economy”. The European Commission is working on an initiative on the rules of origin, which would enable Amman to benefit from advantageous customs tariffs in order to be able to help host communities and refugees. According to a royal press release quoted by Jordanian media, Abdullah II is looking forward to implementation of the commitments taken in London and to building on the results of the meeting in order to improve his country's economic strength, infrastructure and service sector, given the repercussions of the Syrian crisis.
The Middle East peace process was also discussed. “A consolidated engagement by the international community remains crucial and preventing escalation and violence on the ground remains a priority”, Mogherini stated, hailing the personal commitment of Abdullah II “to create conditions for a renewed political horizon”.
During his visit to Brussels, Abdullah II also met European Council President Donald Tusk and the presidents of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, and European Parliament Martin Schulz. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)