EN Official Journal of the European Union L 345/50

COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2016/2310

of 17 October 2016

on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Association Council set up by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, of the other part, as regards the adoption of EU-Jordan Partnership Priorities, including the Compact

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 217 in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, of the other part (1) (the ‘Agreement’) was signed on 24 November 1997 and entered into force on 1 May 2002.

(2) A Joint Communication by the High Representative and by the European Commission of 18 November 2015 on the Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy has been welcomed by the Council Conclusions of 14 December 2015, where, inter alia, the Council confirmed the intention to start a new phase of engagement with partners in 2016 which could lead to the setting of new partnership priorities, where appropriate, focused on agreed priorities and interests.

(3) The shared goal of the Union and Jordan for a common area of peace, prosperity and stability necessitates working together, particularly through co-ownership and differentiation, and taking account of Jordan's key role in the region.

(4) While addressing the most urgent challenges, the Union and Jordan continue to pursue the core objectives of their long-term partnership and to enhance the stability and resilience of the country and the region as well as sustained and knowledge-based economic growth and social development in accordance with the rule of law and based on democratic governance.

(5) The position of the Union within the Association Council set up by the Agreement should therefore be based on the attached draft Decision,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Association Council set up by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, of the other part, as regards the adoption of EU-Jordan Partnership Priorities, including the Compact, shall be based on the draft Decision of the EU-Jordan Association Council attached to this Decision.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Luxembourg, 17 October 2016. For the Council The President F. MOGHERINI

(1) Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, of the other part (OJ L 129, 15.5.2002, p. 3).