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Jordan, EU sign assistance deal worth 382m euros

By Omar Obeidat - Oct 13,2014 - Last updated at Oct 13,2014

AMMAN – Jordan and the European Union on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) concerning EU financial assistance to Jordan of up to 382 million euros. 

The accord was signed by Minister of Water and Irrigation Hazem Nasser, who is currently acting planning minister, and EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule. 

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour and EU Ambassador to Jordan Joanna Wronecka attended the signing ceremony that was held at the Prime Ministry. 

Jordan and the EU also signed two other agreements: a 47.5 million euro grant that will go to supporting Jordan's public finance management and public administration reforms, and a 12 million euro grant for support to the Action Plan Programme, which seeks to support the Jordanian administration in the implementation of the EU-Jordan Action Plan of the European Neighbourhood Policy, including the harmonisation of the domestic legislative and regulatory framework with the EU.

In remarks to the press following the signing, Fule said the MoU on the Single Support Framework will enable Jordan to benefit from financial assistance ranging between 312 million euros and 382 million euros between 2014 and 2017, adding the funds will focus on three sectors: the rule of law for enhanced accountability and equity in public service delivery, employment and private sector development, and renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Out of the 47.5 million euros, Nasser said that around 40 million euros will go in direct support to the state budget, while the rest will be spent on capacity building of certain government institutions.  

Fule highlighted the importance of the agreements, noting that the MoU would set up cooperation priorities between Amman and Brussels for the next four years. 

Commending Jordan’s commitment to political reforms despite turmoil in the region, and the Kingdom’s balanced stance towards regional and international stability, the EU official described the Kingdom as a “privileged and important partner for the EU”. 

He indicated that the EU will continue to provide more financial support to Jordan in the future. 

“Jordan is a very important partner for the EU — an advanced and privileged partner. We remain a strong supporter of Jordan’s political reforms that aim to reinforce democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights,” he told the press. 

Fule said the EU recognises and appreciates Jordan’s constructive and balanced position in promoting stability in the region. 

“Nowadays, we face the same dangerous enemy: extremism and fundamentalism,” the EU official said, adding that the union appreciates Jordanian support for efforts aimed at cutting the flow of foreign fighters and terrorist financing, he added. 

“The EU fully recognises the vital role Jordan plays in providing support and hospitality to Syrian refugees, which comes in addition to the support and solidarity shown to Palestinian refugees. We are aware of the challenges that the Syrian crisis presents for Jordan and are trying to help,” the EU commissioner said, indicating that since the start of the Syrian crisis, the EU has more than doubled its level of financial support to Jordan to help the Kingdom cope with the situation. 

Nasser said the EU financial assistance comes at a critical period Jordan is going through because of regional turbulence and due to hosting hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees, which, he said, added more pressure on the Kingdom’s limited resources, particularly in the fields of water, education and energy.

Also on Monday, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and Fule discussed bilateral ties and prospects for further cooperation.

The two officials underlined their commitment to continued coordination, especially in supporting the Kingdom to overcome the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on its economy, Petra reported.  

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