EU pledges to continue support for Jordan

AMMAN — The EU sees Jordan as a principal ally and will continue its support to the refugee-burdened Kingdom especially during this critical conjecture, the union's ambassador to the Kingdom said on Wednesday.

EU Ambassador Andrea Matteo Fontana's remarks came during a joint press conference with the Dutch Ambassador to Jordan Paul van den IJssel to introduce the Netherlands assuming the rotating presidency of the EU.

"A strong partnership between the EU and Jordan has never been more important than now, where Jordan is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism and has shown tremendous solidarity in hosting Syrian refugees," Fontana said.

"The EU stands by Jordan and remains deeply committed to support the people and the government of Jordan in addressing the immense challenges," he added.

Expressing the EU's appreciation for Jordan's humanitarian assistance to Syrian refuges, Fontana said: "However, we do not take Jordan for granted. The EU is committed to working with Jordan on a holistic response to the Syrian refugee crisis."

The ambassador also said that the EU financial support for refugee-plagued Jordan "has been very substantial, reaching over 1 billion euro in bilateral and crisis-related support since the onset of the crisis".

Among the other key Jordan-EU priorities in 2016, according to Fontana, is to enhance cooperation in security and counter-terrorism, and strengthen political dialogue, economy, trade, development cooperation, migration/mobility, education, science and culture within the European Neighbourhood Policy.  

Finding a political solution to Syria's nearly five-year-old war is the key to solving the refugee crisis, the diplomat noted, and the EU is working with the UN and other key players for that end.  

"We have to work on reducing the intensity of war in Syria so that people there can stay in their territories," Fontana said.

"For a better, sustainable and effective solution to Syria's refugee crisis, cooperation, coordination and support to Jordan is a must," said the Dutch ambassador.

As a president of the EU, Van den IJssel said the Netherlands will work on enhancing EU partnerships and cooperation with Jordan at all levels, citing the Kingdom's pivotal regional role and its economic challenges as a result of receiving large numbers of refugees.

In handling Europe's refugee crisis, the ambassador added that the Netherlands' approach will be focused primarily on laying down the necessary base for a dignified and decent reception of refugees.

Like Fontana, the Dutch diplomat said he believes that finding a political solution to the Syrian conflict is the key to resolving the resulting refugee crisis. "And then if we continue to see refugees, it is important that wherever they go, we can offer a safe and dignified reception."

"We are fully aware of the troubles Jordanian families face every day as a result of the refugees. We want to assist Jordan if we want to solve the refugee problem," Van den IJssel said.

As a president of the EU, he said Amsterdam will focus on four major priorities: a comprehensive migration policy and international security; Europe as innovator and job creator; sound, future-proof European finances and a robust eurozone; and forward-looking policy on climate and energy.

The presidency of the Council of the EU rotates among the EU member states every 6 months.

On January 1, the Netherlands took over the presidency from Luxembourg, according to an EU statement. 

The presidency is responsible for driving forward the council's work on EU legislation, and cooperation among the EU's 28 member states, ensuring continuity of the union's agenda.