13/01/2017 (Agence Europe) – Brussels is to host a conference on 25 January that is being organised by the European Commission and Jordan's Ministry of Industry and Trade on the opportunities for trade and investment between the EU and Jordan resulting from the decision taken by the EU in July 2016 to simplify the rules of origin for Jordanian exporters in order to support Amman's efforts to address the refugee crisis due to the Syrian conflict (see EUROPE 11599). In force since 1 May 2002, the EU-Jordan association agreement has gradually established a free trade area between the two partners over a transitory period of 12 years. Furthermore, an agreement on the increased liberalisation of agricultural products has been in force since 2007. For further information on the conference, see: https://ggo.gl/od4z2l. (EH)