Luxembourg, 11/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - The first meeting of the EU-Jordan Association Council was held in Luxembourg on Monday, on the eve of King Abdullah's visit to the European Parliament. It allowed for discussions on relations between the two parties but also turned to the situation in the Middle East. The European Union, represented by Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Piqué and Denmark's Per Stig Moller, as well as by Commissioner Chris Patten, welcomed the stabilising role Jordan is playing in the Middle East, as well as its constructive commitment to the Barcelona Euro-Mediterranean Process. Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Mushaer stressed his country's expectations following the entry into force, on 1 May, of the EU-Jordan Association Agreement. Speaking of the "essential" clause, Mr. Piqué recalled that the EU attached great importance to the promotion of human rights and the holding of parliamentary elections in Jordan this year. The Union encourages the promotion of the role of women in economic, social and political development in the country and takes note of progress made in the creation of a Nation Human Rights Centre, we read in a note published at the end of the meeting. Regarding economic relations, the Association Council agreed on the first stages necessary for the implementation of the Association Agreement, notably regarding the liberalisation of agricultural trade and development of co-operation in the social field with the setting up of a working party. In that context, the EU Council will shortly adopt directives for agricultural negotiations with Jordan.
At a short press conference, Josep Piqué - who spoke of "an important step for the re-launch of the peace process" - as well as Messrs. Patten and Mushaer, welcomed the important changes within the Palestinian Authority. "A reformed Palestinian Authority, more transparent and more democratic is in the interest of all Palestinians" and Israel, said Commissioner Patten, recalling the role played by the Union in reforming the Palestinian institutions. Patten, who stressed the aid provided along these lines by the IMF, hoped that the Donor Conference that is to meet to contribute to economic reconstruction would be a success.