King, EU commissioner discuss Jordan’s partnership with bloc

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, met with EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, who is heading a high-level economic delegation representing international and European financial institutions on a visit to Jordan.

The meeting, held at Al Husseiniya Palace, focused on the strategic partnership between Jordan and the European Union, and ways to enhance joint cooperation, with King Abdullah expressing appreciation for the EU's support to Jordan in many sectors, a Royal Court statement said.

Hahn expressed the EU’s keenness to expand cooperation with Jordan, promote economic development programmes and support development plans.

Discussions at the meeting covered developments related to the peace process, with His Majesty stressing the need to step up efforts to reach just and lasting peace, based on the two-state solution and leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4,1967, lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The meeting also covered efforts to find political solutions to regional crises, according to the statement.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Adviser to His Majesty for Communication and Coordination Bisher Al Khasawneh attended the meeting.

Hahn and the accompanying delegation also held expanded talks with Prime Minister Omar Razzaz and the Cabinet’s economic team over means to support the Kingdom in overcoming financial challenges.

Razzaz and the guest delegation, who are visiting the Kingdom to follow up on the outcomes of the London Initiative and the Brussels conference, stressed the importance of providing the needed support to implement the reform roadmap adopted by the Kingdom, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Talks went over underpinning the policies shaped for the next five years, which include major economic reforms designed to achieve sustainable development and create new job opportunities. 

The meeting also covered means of increasing Jordanian exports to European markets, ways of maximising the benefit from the simplified rules of origin for Jordanian products, supporting SMEs, improving the business environment, reducing the budget deficit and increasing women’s participation in the labour market, according to Petra. 

Also on Tuesday, Safadi met separately with the EU official, during which they reiterated Jordan’s and the EU’s dedication to develop partnerships in all fields, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

They highlighted the significance of the Jordan-EU Association Council meeting’s outcomes, held in Luxembourg last week, in enhancing economic and development cooperation.

Safadi reaffirmed the importance of the bloc’s efforts in overcoming regional crises and sustaining security and stability. 

The minister expressed appreciation towards the EU’s support for a two-state solution as the only way to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and establish comprehensive peace. 

Safadi and Hahn reviewed regional developments with a focus on the Palestinian cause, during which Safadi reiterated that the only solution to the crisis is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967, lines with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

For his part, Hahn stressed the EU’s appreciation for the Kingdom’s efforts in boosting regional security and stability.