Jordan, EU discuss economic cooperation

AMMAN — Jordan and the EU on Wednesday expressed keenness to continue efforts to enhance their "solid partnership" through increasing cooperation through institutional action mechanisms. 

Priorities of cooperation at the coming stage was among the top issues that some ministers discussed virtually with European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi and other senior officials at the European Commission, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

Discussions went over the economic and financial cooperation programme, sector cooperation priorities, partnership programmes under the framework of the partnership between the Kingdom and the EU and under the European Neighbourhood Policy programme with partner countries in the southern Mediterranean. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Várhelyi highlighted the "deep" Jordanian-European strategic partnership.

In this regard, Safadi expressed appreciation of EU's support to the Kingdom for providing the first batch of the soft loan/Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) programme of 250 million euros out of a total of 700 million euros that will be extended to the Kingdom to help the government face the repercussions of COVID-19 and enhance economic growth. 

Talks also referred to the significance of bearing the burden of the Syrian refugee issue and financial challenges facing the UNRWA, in addition to the challenge of refugees and immigration in general, the statement said. 

The minister stressed that the positive impacts of stability and welfare in the southern Mediterranean reflect on the EU and the entire region and also contribute to instilling security and stability. 

Várhelyi praised the union's partnership with Jordan, stressing the EU's keenness to continue supporting the economic development process and reforms conducted by the Kingdom to improve its economic tools, increase competitiveness, attract investments and create jobs. 

For his part, Planning and International Cooperation Minister Nasser Shraideh acquainted the EU official with the economic conditions in Jordan and the government's procedures to overcome the pandemic’s repercussions and their impact on various sectors.

Also speaking at the event, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Maha Ali reviewed means to enhance commercial exchange between Jordan and the EU and the investment opportunities in Jordan, which enjoys a “unique” geographical location enabling it to be regional business hub.