Brussels, 10/11/2008 (Agence EUROPE) - Late in the afternoon of Monday 10 November, the EU and Jordan held, on the sidelines of the General Affairs Council, the seventh session of their Association Council, which took stock of cooperation with a country which is considered to be the best-disciplined of the whole region. It is, a source in Brussels announced, a "very important part" of the EU, in whose interests it is to "continue development of its prosperous and constructive partnership" with this country, the geostrategic importance of which is heightened further by its proximity to Israel.
The EU welcomed political announcements of greater openness and the guarantee of freedom to exercise rights, calling on the country to move to the phase of implementation, particularly regarding the press, political parties, local elections and public meetings. It also, however, voices its grave concerns regarding the law on civil society and stresses the need to reinforce the independence of the country's legal apparatus.
As regards direct relations, Brussels welcomes the fact that Jordan has completed the stages laid down in the agreed action plan and structured its cooperation. A network of individuals with responsibility for European affairs has been set up within each ministry to bring in a closer relationship and to align working methods on the objectives of the action plan. In Brussels, nearly 4 years after the EU-Jordan action plan was adopted, the feeling is that the time has come to examine the progress made, to maintain a head of steam, but also to reflect on the best way of continuing to broaden this relationship. The EU believes that the implementation of the EU-Jordan action plan could "be improved still further" and should permit new actions to be undertaken, such as possible involvement in Community programmes. Amongst other things, the EU welcomes the conclusion of the "cross-cutting" agreement on air transport with Jordan, which was signed in February 2008. The EU hopes to speed up the launch of negotiations on the global agreement on aviation services, which will extend relations in the field of air transport and develop trade and tourism.
The situation in the Middle East was on the agenda, as were relations with Iran, the fight against terrorism and Iraq. The EU welcomes the fact that Jordan has decided to appoint an ambassador to Baghdad and congratulates the country on the constructive role it plays in the process involving the neighbouring countries of Iraq and other players. It also welcomes the fact that it has declared its willingness to continue to host the working group on displaced persons.
Economically, Jordan has obtained excellent results and is continuing its reforms (in fields such as taxation and the management of public finances). The EU supports Jordan in these difficult reforms, which are vital to guarantee economic growth, particularly at a time when energy prices are very high. However, the EU calls upon Jordan to ensure that these economic advantages are spread more evenly through the Jordanian population. Inflation hit an average of 15.5% in September 2008 due, amongst other things, to the increase in food and oil prices. (F.B./trans.fl)