On Thursday 2 June, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi, signed the new priorities of the partnership between the European Union and Jordan for the next 5 years.
Speaking to the media in Amman at the end of the Association Council, the High Representative said that these priorities were threefold: - regional stability and security, including the fight against terrorism; - economic stability and good governance; - Rule of law, democracy and human rights. He considered that fundamental freedoms, human rights and democracy should be the cornerstone of the partnership.
According to Mr Borrell, it is not possible to have political stability without economic progress.
The High Representative also emphasised energy, along with renewable energy and energy efficiency, and the importance of continuing to work on access to water, with the construction of a desalination plant and a conveyor belt from Aqaba to Amman.
According to the joint declaration, the EU and Jordan also confirmed their commitment to deepen the dialogue on issues of mutual interest, including security, the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, border management, job creation, innovation, the green transition, employability and mobility.
For his part, the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood, Olivér Várhelyi, indicated that Jordan is benefiting from a multiannual assistance package of €364 million until 2024 to support the country in its reforms, notably concerning good governance and the Rule of law, a green and digital transition, and human development. He also announced €25 million in support for food security and €24 million for social protection for vulnerable families.
Mr Borrell also explained that the Europeans and Jordanians had discussed the war in Ukraine and its consequences, particularly from the point of view of food security, as well as the Middle East peace process and the reception of Syrian refugees in Jordan.
See the joint statement: https://aeur.eu/f/1x7 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)