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Andrea Matteo Fontana EU Ambassador to Jordan EU – Jordan relations Senate of Jordan

Andrea Matteo Fontana EU Ambassador to Jordan EU – Jordan relations Senate of Jordan EU-Jordan Friendship Committee Thursday 25 January 2018. The EU and Jordan. Importance of EU-JO relations Regional developments and challenges Association Agreement Partnership Priorities

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Andrea Matteo Fontana EU Ambassador to Jordan EU – Jordan relations Senate of Jordan

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  1. Andrea Matteo Fontana EU Ambassador to Jordan EU – Jordan relations Senate of Jordan EU-Jordan Friendship Committee Thursday 25 January 2018

  2. The EU and Jordan • Importance of EU-JO relations • Regional developments and challenges • Association Agreement • Partnership Priorities • Single Support Framework

  3. Regional developments • Jerusalem EU continues to respect the international consensus on Jerusalem (UNSCR 478) • Refugees EU recognizes the importance of UNRWA to JO and is committed to continue support to the agency • Syria EU continues to recognise the impact of the Syria crisis on Jordan. The EU- Jordan Compact is a pertinent example of how EU and Jordan collaborate to deal with the crisis holistically • Iraq EU welcomes the support of JO in rebuilding Iraq, the reopening of the border and the continued hosting of Iraqi refugees by JO • The EU has and will remain a close partner of JO before, during and after the crisis

  4. EU-Jordan Association Agreement • When? Signed in 1997, in force since 2002 • Why? To enhance the political relations and the dialogue between EU and Jordan. • What? To provide an appropriate legal framework allowing the development of close relations between the Parties • To foster the establishment of bilateral free trade • between the EU and Jordan. • To support cooperation in Social and Cultural matters.

  5. PARTNERSHIP PRIORITIES • When?  Agreed in July 2016 • Why?  Renewed framework for political engagement and enhanced cooperation that includes commitments on both sides for 2016-18 • Priorities Strengthening cooperation on regional stability, security including counter-terrorism  Enhancing Jordan’s social and economic development in line with Jordan 2025  Supporting efforts to strengthen governance, the rule of law, democratic reform and human rights

  6. EU and Jordan partners on Rule of Law and democracy • EU supports Jordan's justice sector reform • EU and JO have agreed on a multi-year programme to support the independent election commission and strengthen the parliamentary and political party system • EU supports the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs in stepping up the decentralisation process • Key achievements • Training of judges and prosecutors as well as building capacity in the Judicial Institute among other activities

  7. EU and Jordan partners on Preventing-Countering Violent Extremism • CooperationJO plays an active and leading role in the region to counter terrorism and violent extremism. EU will continue to strengthen cooperation with JO on P- CVE as per the Partnership Priorities • EU-JO Compact The EU-Jordan Compact commitment to Stability and Security focuses on CVE, countering financing of terrorism and aviation and border security • Projects EU is funding projects to support national and local stakeholders address radicalisation through youth-focused activities

  8. EU and Jordan partners on Trade EU-Jordan trade facilitation in view of enhancing investments, export and job opportunities including for Syrian refugees Relaxation of the Rules of Origin: 10 years duration; 18 designated economic zones and 54 products 15% of jobs for the 1st and 2nd year; 25%of jobs from the 3rd Easier access to the EU market Agadir Process: EU supports Jordan as a signatory of the Agadir Agreement with the aim of creating an Arab free trade area

  9. EU and Jordan partners on Education • EU provides support to education in Jordan and views it as a powerful instrument for enhancing social and economic development • Key achievements • 4000 academic staff, and students have travelled to and from Jordan in the last 3 years • 263 JO students received a master degree or research scholarship • 920 mobilities for students and 1051 mobilities for staff

  10. EU and Jordan partners on Research • The EU and Jordan will continue to foster innovative research and knowledge-based solutions and cooperation in a range of sectors • Promising initiatives • SESAME (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East) • Science for peace and cooperation in the Middle East through initiatives like SESAME - first major international research centre in the region

  11. EU and Jordan partners on Energy • EU prioritises work on innovative solutions and cooperation aimed at improving renewable energy access and energy efficiency in Jordan • Key achievements • 20.000 solar water heater installed in the less developed areas of the country • 40 schools in host communities equipped with solar panels for renewable energy production • Over 1.000 photovoltaic solar panels in public institutions and host communities

  12. EU and Jordan partners on Natural Resources • Sustainable management of natural resources • Collaboration on the sustainable use of natural resources is an important pillar of the Partnership Priorities • Dead sea/Red sea project • Clean water /renewable energy production and contribute to the Dead Sea stabilisation • EUR 40 M grant to be blended with European concessional loans

  13. EU and Jordan partners on Private Sector Development • The EU and Jordan are prioritising and multiplying their efforts in support of private sector development • Key achievements • More than 1,000 companies supported • Entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation supported through projects like ShamalStart (start-up incubator)

  14. CURRENT EU ASSISTANCE TO JORDAN Portfolio >1 billion EURO Grants: 850 Million EURO in grants EU Regional Trust Fund (Madad Fund): 212 Million EURO Macro Financial Assistance: 200 Million EURO

  15. More than 70 countries pledged € 5.6 billion • € 1.3 billion from the EU, by far the largest donor to the crisis • EU committed to maintain similar levels of support • In 2017, focus has been on helping Jordan benefit from the relaxation of the Rules of Origin

  16. EU is working to ensure that the Syria crisis stays at the top of the agenda The Brussels conference in April 2018 will include pledging for neighbouring countries dealing with the crisis including JO Focus will be on protection, education, livelihoods and special support for neighbouring countries

  17. Thank you for your attention!- Questions and comments?

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