Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be adopted by the European Union and its Member States  within the Association Council established 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, with regard to the adoption of a Recommendation on the implementation of the EU-Jordan ENP Action Plan
Date: 2011-04-19
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU relations, Jordan, action programme, aid policy, association agreement, common foreign and security policy, cooperation policy

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EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Brussels, 19.4.2011 
COM(2011) 153 final 

2011/0069 (NLE) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

of  

on the position to be adopted by the European Union and its Member States  
within the Association Council established 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, with 
regard to the adoption of a Recommendation on the implementation of the EU-Jordan 
ENP Action Plan 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

The  European  Community  and  Jordan  first  established  contractual  relations  in  1977  by 
signing a Cooperation Agreement. Both the 1997 Association Agreement (which entered into 
force in May 2002) and the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Action Plan, adopted in 
2005, contributed significantly in developing the bilateral relations. The European Union and 
Jordan have progressively built over the years a strong and constructive partnership which is 
now about to enter into a new phase. 

In its Conclusions adopted in December 2008 on the “Strengthening of the European Union’s 
bilateral relations with its Mediterranean partners”, following the interest expressed by Jordan 
for  a  stronger  partnership  with  the  European  Union,  the  EU  welcomed  the  prospects  for 
reinforced  relations  and  confirmed  its  willingness  to  work  actively  with  Jordan  towards 
agreeing  on  a  new  ENP  Action  Plan  which  will  reflect  the  ambitious  character  of  our 
partnership. 

In  the  Communication  to  the  Parliament  and  the  Council  on  the  implementation  of  the 
European  Neighbourhood  Policy,  published  in  April  2009,  the  Commission  underlined  that 
upgrading  relations  with  any  ENP  country  would  institutionalise  and  increase  political 
exchanges, intensify the country’s participation in the EU economic area, and bring about a 
significant degree of integration in various policy areas. 

At  the  eighth  Association  Council  meeting  on  16  November  2009  the  European  Union  and 
Jordan decided to enhance the level and intensity of their relations. During the same meeting, 
the Commission  was tasked  through the  existing  structure  of  subcommittees to  examine  the 
content and scope for enhancing relations between Jordan and the EU. 

In this context, the Commission, in cooperation with the Presidency, negotiated with Jordan a 
draft new ENP Action Plan with a timeframe of five years. Its implementation will help fulfil 
the  provisions  in  the  Association  Agreement  and  will  contribute  to  an  increasingly  close 
relationship  with  Jordan,  involving  a  significant  degree  of  economic  integration  and  a 
deepening  of  political  co-operation.  Implementation  of  the  Action  Plan  will  significantly 
advance  the  approximation  of  Jordan’s  legislation,  norms  and  standards  to  those  of  the 
European Union. 

Moving  towards  an  “advanced  status”  partnership  stems  from  the  common  objective  of 
promoting  peace,  stability  and  prosperity  and  based  on  the  core  values  the  EU  and  Jordan 
share,  i.e.  democratic  principles  including  the  rule  of  law  and  the  respect  for  human  rights. 
This new ENP Action Plan gives concrete substance to the “advanced status” partnership. 

Jordan has taken bold steps on the path of good governance and political reform; it has shown 
readiness to make further commitments in the field of democratization, human rights and the 
rule of law. 
In the course of the recent EU-Jordan Association Council which took place on 26th October 
2010, the parties took note of the conclusion of the technical negotiations for a new joint EU-
Jordan ENP Action Plan. 

The ENP Action Plan will thus remain an essential reference tool that will guide our bilateral 
relations with Jordan in the coming years. The ENP will continue to play a catalyst role as a 
single  policy  framework,  based  inter  alia  on  partnership  and  joint  ownership,  as  well  as 
performance-driven differentiation and tailor-made assistance. 

The Commission attaches the text of a proposal for a Council Decision on the position to be 
taken  by  the  European  Union  and  its  Member  States  within  the  EU-Jordan  Association 

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Council  with  regard  to  the  adoption  of  a  Recommendation  on  the  implementation  of  the 
Action Plan in annex. 

The Commission therefore requests the Council to adopt the attached proposal for a Council 
Decision. 

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2011/0069 (NLE) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

of  

on the position to be adopted by the European Union and its Member States  
within the Association Council established 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, with 
regard to the adoption of a Recommendation on the implementation of the EU-Jordan 
ENP Action Plan 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to Article 2 (1) of the Council and Commission Decision 2002/357/EC, ECSC 
of  26  March  2002  on  the  conclusion  of  a  Euro-Mediterranean  Agreement  between  the 
European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Hashemite Kingdom 
of Jordan, of the other part; 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission; 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

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, was signed on 24 November 1997 and entered into force on 1 
May 2002; 

The  Parties  agree  on  the  EU-Jordan  ENP  Action  Plan,  which  reflects  the  “advanced 
status”  partnership,  and  which  will  support  the  implementation  of  the  Euro-
Mediterranean  Agreement  through  the  elaboration  and  agreement  of  concrete  steps 
towards attainment of its objectives. 

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HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Sole Article 

The  position  to  be  adopted  by  the  European  Union  and  its  Member  States  within  the 
Association  Council  established  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, with regard to the implementation of the 
EU-Jordan ENP Action Plan shall be based on the draft Recommendation of the Association 
Council annexed to this Decision. 

Done at Brussels,  

For the Council 
The President 

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ANNEX  

Draft 

RECOMMENDATION 

on the implementation of the EU-Jordan ENP Action Plan 

The EU/Jordan Association Council, 

Having regard to 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, and in particular Article 91 thereof, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

Article  91  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Agreement  gives  the  Association  Council  the 
power  to  make  appropriate  recommendations,  for  the  purposes  of  attaining  the 
objectives of the Agreement.  

In  terms  of  Article  101  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Agreement,  the  Parties  shall  take 
any  general  or  specific  measures  required  to  fulfil  their  obligations  under  the 
Agreement and shall see to it that the objectives set out in the Agreement are attained. 

The Parties to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement have agreed on the text of the EU-
Jordan ENP Action Plan. 

The  EU-Jordan  ENP  Action  Plan  will  support  the  implementation  of  the  Euro-
Mediterranean Agreement through the elaboration and agreement between the Parties 
of concrete steps which will provide practical guidance for such implementation. 

The Action Plan serves the dual purpose of setting out concrete steps in bringing the 
fulfilment  of  the  Parties’  obligations  set  out  in  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Agreement, 
and of providing a broader framework for further strengthening EU-Jordan relations to 
involve  a  significant  measure  of  economic  integration  and  a  deepening  of  political 
cooperation,  in  accordance  with  the  overall  objectives  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean 
Agreement. 

HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATION: 

Sole Article 

The Association Council recommends that the Parties implement the EU-Jordan ENP Action 
Plan in annex, insofar as such implementation is directed towards attainment of the objectives 
of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement. 

Done at [...] 

For the Association Council 

The President 

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ANNEX 

EU/JORDAN ENP ACTION PLAN 

INTRODUCTION 

Jordan  has  been  a  frontrunner  among  the  Mediterranean  partners  to  embark  on  new 
association  ties  with  the  EU.  The  European  Community  and  Jordan  first  established 
contractual relations in 1977 by signing a Cooperation Agreement. Both the 1997 Association 
Agreement (which entered into force in May 2002) and the European Neighbourhood Policy 
(ENP)  Action  Plan,  adopted  in  2005,  contributed  significantly  in  developing  the  bilateral 
relations.  These  are  three  milestones  in  our  bilateral  relations  each  one  of  them  marking  a 
clear step forward in the process of strengthening ties. 

The  European  Union  and  Jordan  have  progressively  built  over  the  years  a  strong  and 
constructive partnership which is now about to enter into a new phase. 

Moving  towards  an  “advanced  status”  relationship  stems  from  the  common  objective  of 
promoting  peace,  stability  and  prosperity  and  based  on  the  core  values  the  EU  and  Jordan 
share,  i.e.  democratic  principles  including  the  rule  of  law  and  the  respect  for  human  rights. 
This new Action Plan gives concrete substance to the “advanced status” partnership. 

The ENP will continue to play a catalyst role as a single policy framework, based inter alia on 
partnership and joint ownership, as well as performance-driven differentiation and tailor-made 
assistance. 

In its Conclusions adopted in December 2008 on the “Strengthening of the European Union’s 
bilateral relations with its Mediterranean partners”, following the interest expressed by Jordan 
for  a  stronger  partnership  with  the  European  Union,  the  EU  welcomed  the  prospects  for 
reinforced  relations  and  confirmed  its  willingness  to  work  actively  with  Jordan  towards 
agreeing on a new ENP Action Plan. 

At  the  eighth  Association  Council  meeting  on  16  November  2009  the  European  Union  and 
Jordan decided to enhance the level and intensity of their relations. 

Jordan has taken bold steps on the path of good governance and political reform; it has shown 
readiness to take further commitments in the field of democratization, human rights and the 
rule of law. 

The progress towards good governance and political reform constitute core elements for the 
development  of  enhanced  relations  with  the  EU.  A  stronger  relationship  requires  enhanced 
commitments in all areas of the relationship, including democracy, human rights and the rule 
of  law.  The  EU  will  continue  to  work  with  Jordan  on  the  implementation  of  these 
commitments. 

People-to-people  contacts  represent  a  means  to  promote  mutual  understanding  as  well  as 
business, civil society and cultural ties. In this respect, in its Conclusions of 26th July 2010, 
the EU acknowledged that “bearing in mind the importance of a secure environment, the EU 
stands  ready  to  promote  well-managed  mobility  of  citizens  of  Eastern  Partnership  and 
Mediterranean partners.” 

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The  EU  acknowledges  the  need  to  accompany  market  opening,  economic  integration  and 
regulatory  convergence  as  well  as  the  process  of  strengthening  bilateral  relations,  with 
appropriate financial support, technical assistance and capacity building through the ENPI. 

The EU looks forward to strengthening co-operation within the ENP Action Plan framework 
and the fulfilment of the commitments of the new ENP Action Plan will contribute to future 
deepening  and  broadening  of  EU/Jordan  relations  through  intensified  political  dialogue, 
including  on  human  rights  and  democracy,  and  also  entail  co-operation  in  a  number  of 
sectors. This ENP Action Plan will thus remain the essential reference tool that will guide the 
EU-Jordan relations over the next years. 

The level of ambition of the EU-Jordan relationship will depend on the degree of commitment 
to common values as well as the mutual interests and the capacity of each party to implement 
jointly  agreed  priorities.  The  pace  of  progress  towards  implementing  the  agreed  objectives 
will acknowledge fully the efforts and concrete progress achieved. 

This Action Plan will cover a timeframe of five years. 

“Advanced status” partnership perspectives 

The “advanced status” partnership will enhance the opportunities for Jordan to participate in a 
number of European and ENP-specific initiatives: 

•  A reinforcement in the scope and intensity of political co-operation at all levels and with 

increased frequency. 

•  Moving beyond co-operation to a significant degree of integration, and the possibility for 

Jordan to participate progressively in key aspects of EU policies and programmes. 

•  The  opportunity  to  explore  the  possibility  of  approximation  of  economic  legislation,  the 
opening  of  economies  to  each  other,  and  the  continued  reduction  of  trade  barriers  which 
will stimulate investment and growth. 

•  Where the need to align Jordanian legislation with EU norms and standards in certain areas 
has  been  identified  and  agreed  upon,  targeted  support  and  advice  will  be  made  available 
through  twinning  arrangements  and  TAIEX,  funded  under  the  European  Neighbourhood 
Policy Instrument. 

•  Gradual opening and/or reinforced participation in relevant European Union programmes, 
promoting,  inter  alia,  industrial,  cultural,  civil  society,  scientific,  and  educational  links, 
following the conclusion of a framework agreement 

•  Reinforce  the  cooperation  with  the  European  agencies,  including  in  the  context  of  their 

regional activities. 

The Association Agreement remains the framework for cooperation while the AP represents a 
declaration of mutual objectives and commitments. 

Key priorities for Action 

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This  Action  Plan  sets  out  a  comprehensive  set  of  priorities  in  areas  within  the  scope  of  the 
Association  Agreement  and  beyond.  Among  these  priorities,  particular  attention  should  be 
given to: 

–  Pursue the consolidation of the institutions safeguarding democracy and the rule of law; 

–  Continue  to  ensure  the  respect  of  human  rights  and  fundamental  freedoms  in  line  with 
international  standards  and  promoting  the  implementation  of  international  human  rights 
standards; 

–  Further enhance the  independence and impartiality of the judiciary and its administrative 

capacity; 

–  Pursue ensuring freedom of expression and media, assembly, and association; 

–  Further promote equal treatment of women and protection of children; 

–  Reinforce the EU-Jordan political dialogue and cooperation on foreign and security policy 
in  a  range  of  areas  including  the  Middle  East  Peace  Process,  non  proliferation,  and 
disarmament; 

–  Deepening of economic and trade relations via a progressive liberalisation in services and 
the  right  of  establishment,  promotion  and  increase  of  investments,  facilitation  of  market 
access and improvement of business climate; 

–  Enhance  Jordan's  export  potential  by  further  liberalisation  of  trade,  in  goods,  and 
agriculture,  simplifying  and  upgrading  customs  legislation  and  procedures,  improving 
industrial standards, modernising sanitary and phytosanitary services; 

–  Further  develop  the  transport  and  energy  sectors  and  its  networks  through  sector 

liberalisation, investment in infrastructure and interconnection with EU networks; 

–  Take  forward  measures  to  promote  environmental  governance  and  address  water  and 

climate change challenges; 

–  Deepen cooperation on science and technology by developing the great potential offered in 

the area of R&D. 

A. POLITICAL DIMENSION 

I. 

(1) 

Political dialogue and cooperation 

Enhanced  political  and  strategic  dialogue  and  cooperation  on  foreign  and  security 
policy 

The  EU  and  Jordan  are  committed  to  achieve  closer  political  cooperation  and  dialogue  on 
the  basis  of  their  shared  values:  the  respect  for  human  rights  and  fundamental  freedoms, 
democracy and good governance. 

The enhanced political dialogue and cooperation will take place at different levels and in the 
framework of different fora: 

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–  The EU and Jordan will hold a summit, on an ad-hoc basis, reflecting the specific nature of 

their partnership and the importance they attach to their relations; 

–  Meetings,  on an  ad-hoc basis, between the Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and his 

European counterparts; 

–  Jordanian sectoral ministers will also be able to engage in consultations, with their relevant 
European counterparts, on an ad-hoc-basis, in the margin of the regular meetings of the EU 
Council of Ministers; 

–  Develop an enhanced political dialogue and regular exchange of information on Common 
Foreign  Security  and  Defence  Policy  (CFSP)  and  Common  Security  and  Defence  Policy 
(CSDP); 

–  Senior Jordanian officials, official representatives or leading figures from the academic and 
research  communities,  might  be  invited,  on  an  ad-hoc-basis,  to  EU  Council  working 
groups’ meetings; 

–  Further develop the political dialogue between the European Parliament and the Jordanian 

Parliament; 

–  Jordan  is  invited  to  align  itself,  on  a  case-by-case  basis,  with  relevant  EU  CFSP 

declarations; 

(2) 

Increased cooperation in the multilateral framework 

–  Promote initiatives on jointly agreed priorities in the United Nations’ framework or in any 

other relevant international forum, as a way to promote effective multilateralism; 

–  Cooperate  to  reinforcing  global  governance  with  the  aim  to  enhance  the  efficiency  of 

multilateral institutions; 

–  Establish  informal  consultation  mechanism  in  view  of  key  meetings  in  the  UN  context 

(such as the Human Rights Council, climate change-related matters, etc.); 

–  Contribute 

to  UN  efforts 

to  resolve  regional  conflicts  and  promote  effective 

multilateralism; 

(3) 

Reinforced dialogue and cooperation on conflict prevention and crisis management 

–  Reinforce  the  cooperation  and  dialogue  in  the  framework  of  CSDP  and  establish  contact 

points; 

–  Explore the possibility to conclude a framework agreement on the security procedures for 

exchanging classified information between Jordan and the EU; 

–  Participate  in  training  activities  on  conflict  prevention,  crisis  and  natural  disaster 

management; 

–  Explore  the  possibility  of  Jordan’s  participation  in  civil  and  military  peace–keeping 

exercises and UN approved operations led by the EU; 

–  Further develop Jordan’s participation in the OSCE Mediterranean Partnership; 

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(4) 

Deepen  the  cooperation  in  addressing  common  security  threats,  including  non-
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and illegal arms exports 

–  Improve  overall  co-ordination  in  the  non-proliferation  area  and  examine  specific  threats 
related  to  WMD  which  undermine  regional  security  and  the  scope  of  cooperation  in 
addressing them; 

–  Enhance  dialogue  on  non-proliferation  of  weapons  of  mass  destruction,  their  means  of 

delivery and ballistic missiles, including through: 

–  Continue implementing UNSC resolution 1540/04 

–  ensuring  full  compliance  with  and  national 

implementation  of  existing 

international obligations and 

–  promoting  the  accession  to  and  implementation  of  other  relevant  international 

instruments and export control regimes; 

–  Co-operate on developing effective systems of national export control, controlling export 
and transit of WMD related goods, including WMD end-use control on dual use goods and 
technologies, and effective sanctions for breaches of export controls; 

–  Apply  the  risk  –  based  customs  control  ensuring  safety  and  security  of  goods  imported, 
exported  or  in  transit,  and  explore  possible  definitions  of  standards  for  certification  of 
operator (exporters and transporters) intervening in commercial exchanges; 

–  Further develop cooperation in the field of fight against illicit trafficking of small arms and 

light weapons; 

–  Increase cooperation in appropriate fora with a view to fully implementing all the actions 
on  the  three  pillars  of  the  NPT  as  agreed  by  the  2010  NPT  Review  Conference  and 
proposals on the establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear and other Weapons 
of  Mass  Destruction  and  their  means  of  delivery;  and  to  advancing  the  universality  of 
commitment  to  non-proliferation  of  nuclear  and  other  weapons  of  mass  destruction  and 
their means of delivery; 

–  Work towards a success, inter alia through the participation of all states, of the proposed 
2012 Conference on the Middle East Zone Free of Weapons of Mass Destruction and their 
means  of  delivery,  in  line  with  the  outcome  and  results  of  the  2010  NPT  Review 
Conference; 

(5) 

Cooperation in the civil protection area 

–  Pursue  the  regional  cooperation  on  prevention,  preparedness  and  response  to  natural  and 

man-made disasters. 

–  Sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) 

of the Community Civil Protection Mechanism. 

II. 

(6) 

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Democracy, the rule of law and good governance 

Consolidating the institutions safeguarding democracy and the rule of law 

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–  Organisation of fair and transparent parliamentary and local elections in accordance with 

international treaties to which Jordan is a party; 

–  Take  the  necessary  steps  conducive  to  the  empowerment  of  political  parties,  including 

through reviewing of relevant legislation; 

–  Establish an independent national commission supervising the electoral process; 

–  Further increase awareness-raising among voters to participate in the political process; 

–  Adoption of a legal framework for national elections observation; 

–  Support inclusive and democratic approaches ensuring increased public participation in the 

decision-making process, including through public consultations; 

–  Strengthen  the  responsibility  of  the  government  before  the  Parliament  in  line  with  the 

Jordanian Constitution; 

–  Enhance Jordan-EU cooperation in the field of Parliament empowerment; 

–  Strengthen  National  Centre  for  Human  Rights’  financial  sustainability  and  operational 

independence. 

–  Continue  to  ensure  the  financial  and  operational  sustainability  of  “Diwan  Al  Mathalem” 

(Ombudsman’s office); 

–  Develop  cooperation  between  “Diwan  Al  Mathalem”  and  the  European  Ombudsman, 

including by exchange of best practices; 

–  Further promote active engagement of civil society in decision-making at all levels. 

–  Pursue political, administrative and financial decentralization fostering citizen participation 
in  the  local  decision-making  process  and  strengthening  public  accountability  and 
transparency; 

–  Ensure that adequate financial resources are allocated to undertake assigned functions and 

relevant administration is adequately staffed. 

(7) 

Continuing enhancing the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, upgrade its 
quality and strengthen its administrative capacity 

–  Pursue the implementation of the Judicial Upgrade Strategy (JUST 2010-2012) to enhance 
effectiveness  and  independence  of  the  judiciary,  including  judicial  training  and  the 
modernization of Jordan’s court system; 

–  Enhance the capacity and the independence of the Judicial Council; 

–  Ensure  the  functioning  of  the  State  Security  Court  and  other  special  courts  in  full 
conformity with international standards for courts of law, including fair trial, by building 
on Jordan’s on-going efforts; 

–  Ensure judicial oversight of administrative procedure and citizens’ guarantees as parties to 

administrative procedure, including reviewing relevant legislation; 

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–  Review  competence  of  the  State  Security  Court  with  a  view  to  reducing  the  scope  of 

offences it deals with. 

III. 

Human rights and fundamental freedoms 

(8) 

Ensuring  the  respect  of  human  rights  and  fundamental  freedoms  in  line  with 
international  standards  and  promoting  the  implementation  of  international  human 
rights standards 

–  Take the necessary measures to ensure the effective implementation of international human 
rights commitments, including those adopted by Jordan in the framework of the Universal 
Periodic Review; 

–  Work towards joining the optional protocols related to international conventions on human 
rights,  including  by  establishing  awareness  campaigns  that  pave  the  way  for  such 
accession; 

–  Accede  to  the  International  Convention  for  the  Protection  of  All  Persons  from  Enforced 

Disappearance, when it enters into force; 

–  Enhance cooperation with the EU in promoting the universality of the Rome Statute in the 

joint endeavour of an effective and universal system of international criminal justice; 

–  Continue to develop human rights and fundamental freedoms’ awareness among citizens, 
as  well  as  among  judges,  prosecutors,  members  of  parliament,  including  through 
education, training and public campaigns; 

–  Strengthening effective protection of human rights by increasing the dialogue with human 

rights defenders and by maintaining regular contacts with civil society organisations; 

–  Engage in a dialogue with a view to becoming party to the Council of Europe Conventions 

open to third countries. 

(9) 

Death penalty 

–  Recognising the current moratorium on death penalty in Jordan, continue to decrease the 

number of crimes punishable by death penalty. 

(10) 

Combating torture and inhuman and degrading treatment 

–  Strengthen  effective  application  of  the  existing  regulatory  framework  against  torture  and 
ill-treatment  and  adopt  international  best  practices,  inter  alia,  by  following-up  the 
recommendations of the Committee against torture adopted in May 2010. 

–  Strengthen  the  existing  complaints  mechanism  to  ensure  that  all  torture  and  ill-treatment 
allegations are properly investigated and those responsible are prosecuted and the victims 
compensated. 

–  Consider ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. 

–  Take  appropriate  measures  to  improve  the  legal  basis  and  practice  in  order  to  limit 

administrative detention. 

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–  Continue systematic and effective monitoring and inspection of all places of detention. 

(11) 

Ensuring freedom of expression, assembly and association 

–  Enhance the quality and independence of the media. 

–  Promote  freedom  of  expression  by  taking  the  necessary  measures  to  avoid  abuse  of  the 

slander provisions of the Penal Code and further decriminalise press offences. 

–  Further strengthen legal provisions and practices on freedom of assembly and association 
in compliance with international standards and in particular with the right to the freedom of 
association  enshrined  in  the  International  Convention  on  Civil  and  Political  Rights 
(ICCPR). 

–  Promote the development of independent media and discourage self-censorship. 

(12) 

Ensuring freedom of religion or belief 

–  Continue  ensuring  freedom  of  religion  or  belief  in  compliance  with  the  Jordanian 

Constitution and international standards. 

–  Strengthen  existing  measures  against  intolerance  and  discrimination  based  on  religion  or 

belief. 

(13) 

Promoting equal treatment of women 

–  Promote equal participation of women in social, economic, political and cultural life. 

–  Consider lifting the remaining reservations under the UN Convention on Elimination of All 

Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). 

–  Promote gender equality by reviewing all legislation that discriminates against women, in 

conformity with the constitutional principle of equality. 

–  Implement  the  commitments  on  strengthening  the  role  of  women  in  society  approved  by 
Jordan  at  the  Union  for  the  Mediterranean  second  Ministerial  Conference  in  November 
2009 (Marrakesh). 

–  Ensure the integration of gender mainstreaming in national policies strategies and plans. 

–  Continue to combat violence against women as stipulated in the “Family Protection Law”, 

Penal Code and the new “Personal Status Law”. 

–  Further ensure that women and girls who are victims of violence have access to immediate 

means of redress and protection, and that perpetrators are prosecuted. 

–  Increase the number of home-shelters for women at risk of violence. 

–  Undertake  public  awareness  campaigns  against  domestic  violence,  including  through 

media. 

–  Increase efforts to eradicate so-called “honour crimes”. 

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(14) 

Enhancing protection of children 

–  Work towards elimination of child labour, in line with the Labour Code in order to protect 

children from economic exploitation through labour in the informal sector. 

–  Work  towards  the  completion  of  the  Child  Rights  Act,  in  compliance  with  international 

standards. 

–  Continue to review all legislation concerning children to ensure compliance with the UN 
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and other relevant international human rights 
instruments and standards. 

–  Strengthen  the  role  of  the  National  Council  of  Family  Affairs  in  charge  of  ensuring  the 

implementation of the CRC. 

–  Strengthen  measures  taken  against  violence  on  children,  including  by  capacity  building, 

reporting mechanisms and data collection. 

–  Support local civil society working in the field of the rights of the Child. 

(15) 

Combating racism and xenophobia; fight against discrimination 

–  Strengthen  the  legal  framework  at  all  levels  to  combat  racism,  xenophobia  and 

discrimination. 

–  Continue  promoting  the  importance  of  tolerance  and  respect  for  all  ethnic  and  religious 
groups  through  education  in  compliance  with  relevant  international  standards  and  the 
“Amman Message”. 

–  Combat  hate  crimes,  including  cases  motivated  by  Islamophobia,  anti-Semitism  and 
Christianophobia  and  other  beliefs,  which  can  be  fuelled  by  racist  and  xenophobic 
propaganda in the media and on the Internet. 

IV. 

Cooperation in Justice and Home Affairs 

(16)  Migration, asylum, border management and visa issues 

–  Exchange of information and dialogue on relevant developments in EU and Jordan in the 

field of migration. 

–  Cooperation in managing migration flows, including by developing the capacity of Jordan 
authorities to provide assistance to migrants belonging to vulnerable categories, in need of 
international protection, and to victims of trafficking in human beings. 

–  Exchange of information and dialogue on relevant developments in EU and Jordan in the 

field of border management. 

–  Cooperation  aimed  at  preventing  irregular  migration  and  related  cross  border  crime, 
including  by  promoting  the  enhancement  of  the  border  control  capacities  of  Jordan 
authorities. 

–  Promote  exchange  of  information  and  further  dialogue  and  cooperation  on  relevant 
developments  in  EU  and  Jordan  in  the  field  of  visas,  such  as  the  Community  Code  on 

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Visas (Visa Code), and take steps to ensure conditions necessary for the issuance of visas, 
including  for  students  and  business  people,  within  relevant  EU  legislation  and  Schengen 
acquis. 

–  Cooperation in view of enhancing the Jordan visa and travel documents issuing procedures 

and security features. 

–  Exchange of information and dialogue on relevant developments in EU and Jordan in the 

field of international protection. 

–  Exchange  of  information  and  cooperation  regarding  migrants  in  need  of  international 

protection in Jordan and assistance needed. 

(17) 

Fight against organised crime 

Ratification and implementation of international instruments 

–  Pursue  dialogue  on  the  implementation  of  the  United  Nations  Convention  against 
Transnational  Organised  Crime  and  its  Protocol  on  the  trafficking  in  persons,  especially 
women  and  children.  Signature  and  ratification  of  the  Protocols  on  the  smuggling  of 
migrants and the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms. 

–  Pursue  dialogue  on  the  implementation  of  the  Optional  Protocol  to  the  United  Nations 
Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child 
Pornography. 

–  Cooperation on the implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption. 

–  Strengthen  and  implement  national  policies  aimed  at  fighting  corruption  in  line  with 

international standards in particular through the Anti-Corruption Commission 

–  Develop  legislation  in  line  with  relevant  international  standards  and  international 

conventions. 

–  Exchange  information  on  the  methods  to  fight  against  the  trafficking  of  persons,  and 
smuggling of irregular migrants including best practices on the rehabilitation of victims. 

–  Engage  in  a  dialogue  with  a  view  to  accede  to  the  Council  of  Europe  Convention  on 

Cyber-Crime and its Additional Protocol. 

–  Exchange of information and best practices in the fight against cybercrime. 

–  Engage in a dialogue with a view to accede to the Council of Europe Convention on the 

Transfer of Sentenced Persons and its Additional Protocol. 

–  Develop effective law enforcement agencies for the fight against organised crime. 

–  Nominate a EUROJUST contact point. 

(18) 

Cooperation in civil and commercial law 

Ratification and implementation of relevant international instruments  

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Engage in a dialogue with a view to accede to the: 

–  1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. 

–  1996 Convention on Parental Responsibility and the Protection of Children. 

–  1965 Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in 

Civil or Commercial Matters. 

–  1970 Hague Convention on Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters. 

–  Further strengthen the dialogue on international child protection and family law issues in 
the context of Jordan’s participation in the Judicial Conference on Cross-Frontier Family 
Issues, the ‘Malta Process’. 

(19) 

Drugs 

Reinforce the fight against drugs 

–  Pursue information exchange on the implementation of the 1988 UN Convention on Illicit 
Traffic  of  Narcotic  and  Psychotropic  Substances,  including  on  reinforcing  and/or 
harmonising national legislation.  

–  Exchange information  and  best  practices on international cooperation in the  fight against 

drugs. 

–  Pursue dialogue on regional cooperation including training of relevant authorities and law 

enforcement agencies. 

–  Prevention of the diversion of precursors and other essential substances to the production 
of  illicit  narcotic  drugs  equivalent  to  those  adopted  by  the  Chemical  Action  Task  Force 
(CATF). 

(20) 

Financial and economic crime, judicial and law enforcement, penitentiary system 

a) 

Develop cooperation in the fight against money laundering 

–  Exchange  information,  best  practices  and  dialogue  on  the  institutional  and  legislative 
international 

in  accordance  with  relevant 

international  standards  and 

framework 
conventions. 

–  Pursuit  of  cooperation  between  Jordanian  law  enforcement  agencies  including  the  Anti-
Money  Laundering  unit  and  international  organisations  as  well  as  with  corresponding 
services of EU Member States. 

–  Exchange of information and dialogue concerning best judicial and police practice in the 

fight against money laundering, financial and economic crime. 

b) 

Develop  cooperation  between  Jordan  and  EU  Member  States  judicial  and  law 
enforcement authorities 

–  Implement relevant international conventions and, where already ratified, development of 

national legislation for their implementation. 

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–  Exchange of information between EU, EU Member States and Jordan including on matters 

related to the International Criminal Court. 

–  Cooperation  in  the  field  of  police  training  between  Jordanian  and  European  police 

academies and colleges, as well as with CEPOL. 

–  Explore the possibilities for cooperation between Jordan and EUROPOL (European Police 

Office). 

c) 

Develop adequate correctional centres (prisons) conditions 

–  Pursue  the  exchange  of  information  and  best  practices  between  the  EU  and  Jordan  on 
correctional  centres  and  detention  facilities  (prisons)  including  classification  systems  for 
prisoners,  development  of  vocational  training  programmes  and  social  reintegration  and 
anti-recidivism measures 

–  Pursue the improvements in conditions within correctional centres and detention facilities 
(prisons) including the enhancement of detention facilities having regard to the protection 
of fundamental human rights. 

–  Application  of  international  standards  and  norms  with  regard  to  juvenile  justice  and 
detention,  notably  the  1985  UN  Standard  Minimum  Rules  for  the  Administration  of 
Juvenile Justice (Beijing Rules) and the 1990 UN Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile 
Delinquency (Riyadh Guidelines). 

(21) 

Combating terrorism 

Strengthening cooperation to combat terrorism 

–  Develop cooperation to strengthen the fight against the financing of terrorism in line with 

the standards laid down in the FATF recommendations on terrorism financing. 

–  Develop cooperation between law enforcement agencies to combat terrorism. 

–  Develop judicial cooperation in the context of combating terrorism. 

–  Co-operate  to  reinforce  the  role  of  the  UN  in  the  multilateral  fight  against  terrorism, 
including  through  full  implementation  of  UNSC  Resolutions  1267/99  and1373/01,  and 
implementation and enforcement of the UN global counter-terrorism strategy and the UN 
counter-terrorism conventions. 

–  Ensure respect of human rights in the fight against terrorism. 

B. 

V. 

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DIMENSION 

Economic and Social Reform and development 

(22)  Monetary, exchange rate and fiscal policies 

Consolidate progress in macro-economic stabilisation and growth policies. 

–  Pursue  the  implementation  of  a  national  macroeconomic  stabilisation  programme,  taking 
into  account  the  regional  situation,  with  the  aim  to  consolidate  the  achievements  in  the 

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areas of price stability, lowering public debt and the fiscal deficit, and promote sustainable 
public finances. 

–  Continue  improving  public  finance  management  and  transparency;  continue  the  policies 

for achieving a sustainable fiscal and pension system. 

–  Increase efficiency of the public sector in line with the Government programme of reform. 

VI. 

Cooperation in the field of equal opportunities, employment, social policy 

(23) 

Gender equality/ensuring equal treatment 

–  Further strengthen efforts to promote and protect women’s and children’s rights. 

–  Intensify  efforts  to  promote  gender  equality  at  all  levels  in  employment,  education, 

training, decision-making and practices of law enforcement agencies. 

–  Effectively  combat  gender-based  stereotyping  and  discrimination  including  through 

training and raising awareness. 

(24) 

Ensuring respect for trade unions rights and core labour standards 

–  Continue efforts to develop a dialogue on fundamental social rights and labour standards. 

–  Continue efforts to approximate the Labour Law to international standards, in particular as 

regards freedom of assembly, the right to organise and collective bargaining. 

–  Step up efforts to reduce informal employment. 

–  Promote tripartite and bilateral social dialogue and further develop the capacity building of 

social partners. 

(25) 

Cooperation in the field of employment and promotion of decent work 

–  Develop a strategic approach to employment in order to: 

•  Improve  matching  of  skills  and  demands  on  the  Jordanian  labour  market  and 
improving efficiency of the labour market with particular consideration of youth 
and women. 

•  Reinforce,  generalize  and  better  evaluate  measures  for  the  development  of 

employment and active labour market policy. 

•  Strengthen the capacity and the efficiency of public employment services. 

–  Promote decent work and the transformation of the informal sector into formal work. 

–  Implement  the  mutually  agreed  upon  decent  work  country  programmes  between  Jordan 

and the ILO. 

–  Promote “flexicurity” principles and ensure the employability of job seekers. 

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–  Continue  work  towards  an  inclusive,  non-discriminatory  national  labour  market,  in 

particular as regards better integration of people with disabilities in the labour market. 

–  Exchange best practices to enhance health and safety at work. 

(26) 

Cooperation in the field of social inclusion and social protection 

–  Step up efforts to significantly reduce poverty and social exclusion, in particular among the 

most vulnerable, and to enhance social cohesion throughout Jordan. 

–  Continue  work  towards  the  adoption  of  a  full-fledge  social  security  law  and  adequate 

social safety nets. 

–  Continue work towards the adoption of a sustainable pension system. 

–  Exchange best practices on improving the effectiveness of social protection with a view to 

enhancing both its social adequacy and financial sustainability. 

VII. 

Sustainable Development 

(27) 

Promotion of sustainable development 

–  Continue  to  implement  sustainable  development  policies  resulting  in  strategies  and 
inter  alia  environmentally  sustainable  economic 

initiatives  designed 
development and greater social inclusion. 

to  achieve 

VIII.  Agriculture 

–  Identify and adopt accompanying measures providing for the structural, institutional, legal 
and administrative support necessary in order to ease access to export markets, including 
approximation of technical legislation. 

–  Identify and adopt measures and appropriate legislation in the sector of rural development, 
and  at  the  level  of  the  development  of  quality  production,  i.e.  local  products,  organic 
products,  geographical  indications/denominations  of  origin,  etc.  with  the  aim  of 
encouraging  the  diversification  of  activity  and  the  creation  of  new  remunerative  and 
sustainable trade flows. 

–  Institutional strengthening of the National Centre for Agricultural Research and Extension 

•  Support the role of the research Centre in improving the productivity, food safety 

and quality of agricultural and processed agricultural products 

•  Establish  bilateral  cooperation  with  European  Research  Centres,  particularly  in 

the areas of genetic engineering and biotechnology 

–  Increase  cooperation  in  the  field  of  international  marketing  standards  for  fruits  and 

vegetables, and for other agricultural and processed agricultural products 

–  Promote  equivalence  schemes  of  certification  for  organic  products  and  Integrated  Pest 

Management (IPM) 

–  Develop measures to encourage private investment. 

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–  Promote  the  distribution  and  exchange  of  information  on  the  agricultural  policies  and 

contribute to the transfer of expertise and experience 

–  Increase  cooperation  in  the  field  of  forestry  related  issues  including  on  climate  changes, 
reforestation, combating desertification, risk assessment and fires control and biodiversity 
conservation based on the experience of the EU forest Action Plan. 

IX. 

Fisheries and maritime policy 

–  Undertake necessary marketing infrastructure upgrading to cope with market demands and 

standards. 

–  Promote  a  responsible  and  sustainable  fishery  policy  and  an  integrated  approach  to 
maritime  affairs  in  order  to  facilitate  dialogue  with  the  EU  within  the  framework  of  the 
EU's Integrated Maritime Policy and in accordance with the international law of the sea, as 
reflected in UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea). 

–  Take part in regional cooperation on integrated maritime policy. 

X. 

Trade related issues, market and regulatory reform 

Jordan  and  the  EU  are  committed  to  the  implementation  of  the  Euro-Med  Trade  Roadmap 
beyond 2010 and of the Euro-Mediterranean Charter for Enterprise which are being used as 
common  reference  documents  by  the  Mediterranean  partner  countries  to  deepen  economic 
and trade relations, promote and increase investments, facilitate market access, improve the 
business climate and spur entrepreneurship at country-level and across the whole region. 

X.i.  Movement of goods 

(28) 

Bilateral trade relations 

–  Eliminate non-tariff barriers to trade, e.g. through regulatory convergence on trade-related 
matters,  ad-hoc  discussions,  as  appropriate,  on  market-access  issues  and  through 
preparations  for  the  negotiation  of  the  ACAA  as  well  as  for  the  future  negotiations  on  a 
Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. 

–  Launch in 2010 and conclude as soon as possible bilateral negotiations on the liberalization 
of  services  and  the  right  of  establishment,  aiming  for  progressive  and  reciprocal 
commitments in all four modes of supply as well as including regulatory provisions.  

–  Implement  the  agreed  results  of  liberalization  of  trade  in  agricultural  and  processed 

agricultural products between Jordan and the EU. 

–  Examine  the  possibility  for  further  liberalization  of  trade  in  agricultural,  processed 
agricultural,  fish  and  fisheries  products,  while  addressing  both  tariff  and  non  tariff 
obstacles  to  trade,  including  sanitary  and  phyto-sanitary  measures,  and  protection  of 
geographical  indications,  in  line  with  the  principles  of  the  Rabat  Euro-Mediterranean 
Roadmap for Agriculture. 

–  Prepare  for  future  bilateral  negotiations  with  the  EU  with  a  view  to  turning  the  existing 
Association  Agreement  into  a  deep  and  comprehensive  Free  Trade  Agreement.  Such 
the  EU-Jordan  Association 
negotiations  would 

include  upgrading  or  completing 

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Agreement  in  regulatory  areas  such  as  standards  and  technical  regulations,  sanitary  and 
rights,  competition  policy,  public 
phytosanitary  measures, 
procurement,  customs  and  trade  facilitation,  trade  and  sustainable  development  etc.  The 
launch of the negotiations would depend on the substantial progress made in other bilateral 
negotiations. In the meantime both sides can explore the common objectives to be reached 
in these negotiations.  

intellectual  property 

(29) 

Elimination of restrictions (EU non-harmonised area) 

Facilitate movement of goods and enhance administrative cooperation  

–  Reinforce  the  contact  points  for  circulation  of  goods  which  aims  to  facilitate  their  free 
movement and exchange of information between the EU and Jordan and among economic 
operators. 

–  Analyse the Jordanian legislation on labelling, composition, manufacturing and description 

of products in the view of approximating with the existing EU general principles. 

(30) 

Agreements  on  Conformity  Assessment  and  Acceptance  of  Industrial  Products  in 
selected industrial sectors 

–  Continue the preparations for the negotiation of an ACAA for Jordan to participate in the 
EU  internal  market, through adoption  of  EU  legislation  and  adaptation  of  the  Jordanian 
institutions in charge of implementing product legislation. This includes:  

A.  Harmonise  and  implement  the  relevant  legislative  framework  with  the  EU 
acquis,  sectoral  and  horizontal,  including  the  legislation  on  liability  for 
defective  products  and  general  product  safety;  harmonise  national  standards 
with  European  and  international  standards  for  industrial  products  in  the 
selected priority sectors. 

B. 

in  charge  of  standardisation, 
institutions 
Strengthen  and  upgrade 
accreditation, conformity assessment, metrology and market surveillance to the 
level of the corresponding institutions in the EU; integrate them to the extent 
possible within European and international structures. 

the 

C.  Align  with  the testing requirements of EU  Directives  for  the  selected  priority 

sectors. 

–  Raise the awareness of economic operators and train the various stakeholders. 

–  Negotiate an Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products 

(ACAA) for all priority sectors. 

(31) 

Facilitate market access of industrial products through Export Promotion 

–  Develop and implement a national strategy for export promotion, in line with the national 

foreign trade strategy. 

–  Build capacity of economic operators and relevant national administration.  

(32) 

Regional cooperation 

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–  Participate  in  the  implementation  of  the  Agadir  Agreement  in  all  the  areas  currently 
covered  by  it;  work  towards  expanding  its  scope  to  new  areas  such  as  services  and 
investment and encourage the new memberships in the Agreement. 

–  Jointly  work  in  the  implementation  of  the  Euro-Med  Trade  Roadmap  beyond  2010, 
particularly  on  completing  and  reinforcing  the  network  of  free  trade  agreements  in  the 
Euro-Mediterranean region and on putting in place the initiatives to strengthen the Euro-
Mediterranean trade partnership. 

–  Actively participate in Euro-Mediterranean industrial cooperation activities at the regional 

level. 

(33) 

Customs 

Improve  functioning  of  customs  service,  simplification  and  modernisation  of  customs 
procedures, and revision of rules of origin  

–  Further  harmonisation  and  simplification  of  customs  legislation,  code  and  procedures  in 

accordance with Palermo recommendations. 

–  Continue to strengthen cooperation with other agencies working at the border. 

–  Finalise  the  works  for  the  conclusion  of  the  Regional  Convention  on  Pan-Euro-

Mediterranean preferential rules of origin, and its implementation.  

–  Participation  in  the  thorough  revision  of  the  Pan-Euro-Med  rules  of  origin  in  the 
framework  of  the  Regional  Convention  on  Pan-Euro-Mediterranean  preferential  rules  of 
origin.  

–  Support the development of measures with regard to risk based customs control ensuring 

safety and security of goods imported, exported or in transit. 

–  Enhance dialogue and cooperation on existing legislation in the area of customs controls of 
pirated and counterfeited goods as well as on its implementation, and exchange of relevant 
statistics. 

(34) 

Sanitary and phyto-sanitary issues 

–  Increase  food  safety  for  Jordanian  and  European  consumers  and  facilitate  trade  through 

reform of the sanitary, phytosanitary and animal welfare sectors. 

–  Continue working on the full implementation of the WTO agreement on the application of 
the  sanitary  and  phytosanitary  measures  and  actively  participate  in  relevant  international 
bodies (OIE, IPPC, and Codex Alimentarius). 

–  Progressive approximation with EU legislation  in the area  of food  control policy, animal 

health, animal welfare and phytosanitary inspection systems. 

•  Continue working on the implementation of the established animal identification 

system for traceability of live animals and their products. 

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•  Continue working on the establishment of a national traceability system for plant 

production. 

–  Strengthen the Jordanian Food Control policy inter alia by: 

•  Continue working on the adoption of the Jordanian draft Food Law. 

•  Reinforcing regulations to fully implement the Jordanian food law. 

•  Cooperating on the establishment of a National Residues Monitoring programme 
within  the  Jordanian  food  control  policy  of  the  Jordanian  Food  and  Drugs 
Authority and laboratories and other relevant agencies. 

•  Cooperating  on  the  establishment  of  a  meat  safety  inspection  system  in 

slaughterhouses and meat processing establishments. 

•  Cooperate  in  the  context  of  the  EU’s  Rapid  Alert  System  for  Food  and  Feed 

(RASFF). 

X.ii. 

Right of establishment, Company law and services 

(35) 

Establishment and company law 

Remove obstacles to the establishment and operation of companies 

a) Establishment 

–  Co-operate to facilitate the establishment of companies. 

–  Without  prejudice  of  annexes  V  and  VI  of  the  Association  Agreement,  ensure 
reciprocal national treatment for EU and Jordanian subsidiaries, companies and/or 
branches and in line with both parties' commitment under WTO. 

b) Operation of Companies 

–  Establish a suitable environment for companies. 

–  Co-operate to facilitate foreign investment. 

c) Company law: 

–  Work towards convergence with key principles of international and EU rules and 

standards. Those include, inter alia: 

a) the establishment and maintenance of a public register of undertakings, 

b) a national gazette for the publication of companies data, 

c)  ensuring  control  of  the  incorporation  of  a  company  or  the  compatibility  of 

certain acts with national laws and regulations. 

–  Adopt and implement a comprehensive regulatory framework. 

–  Elaborate a code of corporate governance and ensure its efficient implementation.  

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(36) 

Audit and Accounting 

Develop the conditions for good financial management, accountability and control 

–  Implement  and  strengthen  the  application  of  international  standards  for  accounting  and 

audits including the enhancement of accountability and transparency principles. 

–  Modernise the regulatory and administrative framework allowing for the establishment of a 

high-quality audit profession. 

(37) 

Services 

Gradual abolition of restrictions on supply of services 

–  Launch in 2010 and conclude as soon as possible bilateral negotiations on the liberalisation 

of services and the right of establishment.  

–  Finalise and implement a strategy to enhance the competitiveness of the Jordanian services 
sector including regulatory simplification and administrative facilitation for both Jordanian 
and EU service sectors.  

–  Continue consultations with its private economic operators to identify sectors for potential 

cooperation.  

–  Explore possibilities of facilitating the supply of services including by the development of 

the necessary administrative structures and the removal of identified barriers. 

Development of financial services 

–  Further  enhance  the  prudential  regulatory  framework  for  financial  services,  including 

banking and insurance sectors, auditing sectors and securities markets.  

–  Set up and train independent surveillance authorities to ensure effective supervision.  

(38)  Movement of capital and current payments 

Further development of capital markets. Liberalisation of Payments, Capital Movements  

–  Review  current  legislation  to  assess  the  need  for  further  liberalisation  of  movement  of 
capital and to guarantee the free transaction movement of capital relating  in  particular to 
direct investment and the protection of foreign investment. 

–  Complete liberalisation of capital movements. 

X.iii.  Other key areas 

(39) 

Taxation 

Further Development of the tax system and its institutions 

–  Further reform the tax system.  

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–  Strengthening  of  the  Tax  Administration.  Develop  a  comprehensive  Strategy  for  the  Tax 

Administration. 

–  Improve  international cooperation  by implementing the  principles of  good  governance in 

the area of taxation. 

(40) 

Competition policy and State Aid  

a) Competition policy 

Develop conditions enabling competition between the EU and Jordan companies as  well as 
among Jordanian companies. 

Develop legislation and an anti-trust control regime compatible with that of the EU 

–  Develop  an  adequate  legal  framework  for  a  comprehensive  competition  policy  and  its 

effective implementation. 

–  Strengthen  Jordan's  administrative  capacities  with  the  view  of  creating  an  independent 

competition authority with adequate resources. 

–  Take further steps to increase public awareness of the value of competition policy. 

–  Ensure  the  right  of  appeal  to  an  independent  court  against  decisions  on  anti-trust  in 

accordance with national laws and regulations. 

Ensure non-discrimination on the part of state monopolies of a commercial character. 

–  Exchange  of  information,  insofar  as  this  does  not  prejudice  national  security,  on  state 

monopolies and public enterprises which have been granted special rights. 

b) State Aid 

Development of the mechanisms to monitor state aid grants 

–  Establish a binding, uniform definition of State Aid which is compatible with that of the 

EU and a national mechanism for collecting information on state aid. 

–  Exchange with the EU of an annual report on the total amount and distribution of state aid, 

as foreseen by Article 53 of the Association Agreement. 

(41) 

Intellectual and industrial property 

Enhance protection of industrial and intellectual property rights 

–  Strengthen the Trade’s Industrial Property Protection Directorate at the Ministry of Trade 
and  Industry.  Take  measures  to  reduce  circulation  and  trafficking  of  counterfeit/pirated 
goods in specifically targeted sectors. 

–  Continue  to  accede  to  the  main  international  agreements  -  including  the  conventions 

provided for by the Association Agreement - and apply international standards.  

–  Continue efforts to align with key elements from the EU acquis. 

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–  Establish dialogue with organisations of rights holders and users of IP. 

–  Encourage  cooperation  with  the  European  Patent  office  and  the  Community  Trademarks 

and Designs Agency (OHIM) and enhance interaction with other Euromed partners. 

(42) 

Public procurement  

Develop conditions for open and competitive award of contracts 

–  Adopt and implement the new regulatory framework for public procurement, including the 

adoption and harmonisation of relevant by-laws and procurement related regulations.  

–  Improve the functioning of the current public procurement system: 

a) 

b) 

by aligning with the key EU standards, e.g., transparency, non-discrimination, 
competition and access to legal recourse. 

by strengthening the administrative capacity, as well as providing for training 
of economic  operators and staff of relevant national authorities, including the 
Jordanian  Public  Procurement  and  Supplies  Departments  of  the  Ministry  of 
Public Works and Housing and the Ministry of Finance, and the Audit bureau. 

c) 

by improving information and awareness among contracting authorities and the 
business community about public procurement procedures. 

–  Continue to build capacity for e-procurement.  

–  Continue to explore opportunities for increased opening of the public procurement markets 

within the Euromed region. 

(43) 

Improve the environment for enterprise development  

–  Modernise  and  improve  the  competitiveness  of  Jordanian  productive  sectors  including 
industry, services and agribusinesses through the development of a Jordanian strategy for 
enterprise modernisation and competitiveness. 

–  Continue  the  EU-Jordan  dialogue  on  enterprise  and  SME  policy  and  continue  upgrading 

the business climate by implementing the Euro-Mediterranean Charter for enterprise:  

a) 

b) 

In terms of contents, pay particular attention to equal opportunities, corporate 
social  responsibility,  innovation,  skills  development,  entrepreneurial  learning, 
business friendly taxation, company law, environmental protection and respect 
of intellectual property rights. 

In terms of process, encourage inter-ministerial coordination and coordination 
between  all  the  public  and  private  Charter  stakeholders,  exchange  good 
practice  with  the  EU  and  neighbour  countries,  and  participate  in  the  regional 
exercises to evaluate progress in the Charter implementation 

–  Continue the dialogue on the future of the textile and clothing sector. 

–  Exchange information on sustainable tourism. 

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–  Mobilise  local  companies  and  investors  around  foreign  direct  investments  to  stimulate 

innovation and endogenous economic development. 

(44) 

Promote investment in Jordan  

–  Develop  and  implement  a  strategy  to  promote  domestic  investment  and  attract  foreign 

investment to Jordan. 

–  Encourage  contacts  between  business  and  investment  promotion  agencies  to  identify 

investment opportunities and obstacles. 

–  Participate  actively  in  the  establishment  and  implementation  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean 

trade and investment facilitation mechanism. 

(45) 

Cooperation in the field of Consumer Protection  

–  Promote exchange of information on consumer protection including consumer legislation 
and its enforcement, consumer product safety, consumer information systems and tools and 
consumer redress.  

–  Joint cooperation with the view of approximation of consumer legislation with relevant EU 
acquis,  in  order  to  ensure  a  high  level  of  consumer  protection  while  avoiding  barriers  to 
trade.  

–  Exchange expertise on legislative and technical capacity to enforce legislation and market 

surveillance systems.  

–  Promote training activities to strengthen the capacity of administration officials and other 

consumer interest representatives.  

–  Encourage the  development  of  independent consumer  associations  and  contacts  between 

consumer representatives.  

–  Encourage the education and empowerment of consumers as well as the protection of their 

legitimate economic interests. 

(46) 

Statistics 

Adoption  of  statistical  methods  compatible  with  European  standards  in  relevant  statistical 
areas and advance the institution building of the Jordanian Statistical System 

–  Implementation of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS). 

–  Introduction  of  mechanisms  for  ensuring  the  independence/impartiality  of  official 

statistics. 

–  Activation of the Advisory Committee for Statistics. 

–  Implementation  of  the  International  Standard  Industrial  Classification  of  All  Economic 

Activities (ISIC) Rev.4 (2008) 

–  Continue to develop economic and social statistics in conformity with EU standards. 

EN 

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–  Continue the work on water statistics and water accounts. 

–  Continue the work on sustainable development indicators. 

–  Promotion  of  statistical  awareness,  in  cooperation  with  all  public  data-producing 

institutions. 

–  Continue to develop data dissemination tools and techniques 

XIII.  Climate change, environment, energy, transport 

(47) 

Climate Change 

–  Strengthen the capacity of Jordanian institutions in charge of climate change issues. 

–  Implement  provisions  under  the  UN  Framework  Convention  on  Climate  Change  and  the 

Kyoto Protocol, including through exploring the use of carbon market opportunities. 

–  Cooperate in the development and establishment of a post-2012 regime on climate change. 

–  Establish and implement strategies and plans on climate change mitigation and adaptation. 

–  Establish greenhouse gas emission inventories. 

–  Exchange of experience and expertise with regard to implementation of policies to reduce 
emissions  of  greenhouse  gases  and  assessment  of  climate  change  impacts  and  adaptation 
action, including promotion of opportunities for transfer of technology. 

–  Actively  promote  the  integration  of  climate  change  considerations  in  the  water  sector 

policies and strategies.  

(48) 

Environment 

a) 

Ensure good environmental governance 

–  Enhance  administrative  structures  and  procedures, 

including  at  Governorate  and 
municipalities  level,  to  ensure  strategic  and  financial  planning,  implementation,  and 
coordination between relevant actors. 

–  Review  the  existing  Environmental  law  in  the  period  2010-2012,  prepare  and  adopt 

relevant amendments. 

–  Review,  update  and  implement  the  National  Environment  Action  Plan  (NEAP)  and  the 

Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Environment. 

–  Converge with EU legislation on environmental impact assessments, including with regard 

to consultation of the public.  

–  Strengthen structures and procedures for strategic environmental assessments. 

–  Strengthen  the  system  for  knowledge  management  in  Jordan,  and  in  particular  the 
collection and  management of environmental data in Jordan  and  access to environmental 
information, building on EU experience and practice. 

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–  Promote  awareness-raising  on  key  environment  issues  and  issue  and  implement  a  new 

national outreach strategy. 

–  Strengthen  civil  society  actors  and  promote  public  participation  in  decision  making  on 

environment issues. 

–  Adopt legislation on environmental liability. 

–  Publish regular reports on the state of the environment. 

–  Explore the participation in selected European Environment Agency activities. 

b) 

Environment  sectors  and  themes,  including  gradual  convergence  with  EU  policy 
principles and legislation 

•  Permitting, monitoring and inspection 

–  Strengthen  administrative  capacity  of  the  Jordanian  authorities  with  regard  to  permitting, 

monitoring and inspection. 

•  Air quality 

–  Adopt legislation on air quality and take action to promote better air quality management, 

building on EU policy principles and framework legislation. 

–  Prepare and adopt action plans to fight air pollution, including cross-border pollution. 

•  Water management and marine protection 

–  Implement priority actions of the National Water Strategy.  

–  Adopt  legislation  on  water  management  and  establish  a  system  of  improvement  of  water 

quality building on EU policy principles and legislation. 

–  Promote integrated water resource management. 

–  Strengthen the water sector institutions with regard to water quality monitoring.  

–  Exchange  information  on  best  practices  and  transfer  knowledge  on  key  water  issues, 

including water scarcity and water re-use. 

–  Explore the links between water supply and energy efficiency. 

–  Promote marine protection 

•  Waste Management  

–  Adopt  and  implement  relevant  waste  management  strategies  (including  in  relation  to 

hazardous waste).  

–  Adopt legislation on waste management, building on EU policy principles and legislation. 

EN 

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–  Establish  a  permitting  system  for  establishments  carrying  out  disposal  or  recovery 

operations as well as for inspection and control of such installations.  

•  Nature Protection 

–  Continue  the  establishment  of  a  system  of  protected  areas,  building  on  EU  policy 

principles and legislation. 

–  Implement  the  priority  actions  of  the  national  strategy  and  action  plan  to  combat 

desertification.  

–  Ratify  the  Gaborone  amendment  permitting  accession  by  regional  economic  integration 
organizations  to  the  Convention  on  International  Trade  in  Endangered  Species  of  Wild 
Fauna and Flora (CITES). 

•  Industrial pollution 

–  Promote environmentally sound production patterns within Jordanian industries, including 
through  the  establishment  of  an  integrated  permitting  system,  building  on  EU  policy 
principles and legislation. 

•  Chemicals 

–  Prepare and adopt a strategy on chemicals to improve stakeholders knowledge and enable 

safer management of chemical substances.  

–  Restrict the use of hazardous chemicals and gradually replace the most hazardous ones.  

•  Environmental integration 

–  Actively promote the integration of environmental considerations into other sector policies. 

c) 

Regional cooperation 

–  Continue cooperation on the Horizon 2020 initiative. 

–  Cooperate in regional water issues and identify possibilities with neighboring countries for 

enhanced cooperation on environment issues. 

–  Promote  and  implement  tools  to  enable  the  civil  society  to  participate  in  the  decision 

making process of transboundary water management . 

(49) 

Energy 

a) 

Energy sectors and themes, including gradual convergence with EU policy principles 
and legislation 

–  Energy  cooperation  will  build,  inter  alia,  on  the  Joint  Declaration  on  the  priorities  for 
cooperation between the European Commission and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 
the energy sector signed on 31st October 2007. 

•  Energy policy 

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–  Follow-up on the implementation of the long-term energy strategy for Jordan based on the 

Jordanian Energy Sector Master Plan. 

–  Exchange  experience  and  best  practices  with  a  view  to  progressive  approximation  of 
Jordan’s energy policy with that of the EU, including cooperation on institutional issues, 
taking into account the specificities of Jordan. 

•  Electricity and gas markets 

–  Work  towards  progressive  convergence  of  Jordan  with  the  principles  of  the  EU  internal 
electricity  and  gas  markets,  including  gradual  opening  of  its  markets,  energy  pricing  and 
market reform. 

–  Follow-up on the establishment of the Energy Regulatory Commission. 

•  Energy networks 

–  Reinforce dialogue and cooperation at technical and, as appropriate political level, on the 
upgrading and development of the domestic and regional electricity, gas and oil networks 
including as regards those designed for transit to the EU. 

–  Exchange information and best practices on network losses as well as network safety and 

security. 

•  Energy efficiency and Renewable energy sources 

–  Follow-up  in  view  of  strengthening  Jordan’s  institutional  framework  (National  Energy 

Research Centre). 

–  Progress towards the participation by Jordan in the Intelligent Energy Programme.  

•  Energy efficiency 

–  Accompany further development of Jordan’s energy efficiency policy, including the policy 

on energy efficiency in buildings. 

–  Work towards the development of appropriate policy measures by Jordan based on the EU 
legislation  and  best  practice,  in  the  area  of  energy  efficiency  across  all  sectors  of  the 
economy and including, inter alia, labeling of domestic appliances and building codes. 

•  Renewable energy 

–  Follow-up on the implementation of Jordan’s renewable energy policy. 

–  Progressive  convergence  by  Jordan  with  EU  legislation  and  best  practices  in  the  area  of 

energy renewable sources, including through the policy targets. 

–  Identify possibilities for cooperation to facilitate transfer of technology. 

–  Cooperate  towards  developing  appropriate  instruments  for  funding  renewable  energy 

projects. 

•  Nuclear safety and security 

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–  Cooperate on legislation and regulation in the nuclear sector as well as on management of 

spent fuel and radioactive waste and nuclear safety culture. 

–  Cooperate  on  institutional  issues  including  by  further  strengthening  the  Jordan  Nuclear 

Regulatory Commission and other relevant bodies. 

–  Cooperate  on  activities  aimed  at  increased  nuclear  safety  awareness  and  knowledge 

building in the region. 

b) 

Regional cooperation 

–  Continue to participate in the regional energy cooperation initiatives of the Union for the 
Mediterranean, in particular the implementation of the Priority Action Plan 2008-2013 for 
the Euro-Mediterranean Energy Partnership. 

–  Continue  enhancing  Euro-Mashrek  gas  cooperation  and  intensify  regional  integration  for 

electricity markets. 

–  Cooperate  in  the  regional  context  on  development  of  renewable  energy  and  energy 
efficiency  including  in  the  context  of  the  Regional  Centre  for  Renewable  Energy  and 
Energy Efficiency and the Mediterranean Solar Plan. 

(50) 

Transport 

a) 

Implement the National Transport and Infrastructure Policy 

–  Implement  a  sustainable  national  transport  policy  for  the  enhancement  of  all  modes  of 
transport, particularly with a view to ensuring efficient, safe and secure transport systems. 

–  Further  approximate  the  legislative  and  regulatory  frameworks  with  European  and 

international standards. 

–  Further  develop  sector  strategies  in  light  of  the  national  transport  policy  (including  data 
warehouse strategies, the upgrading of technical equipment and transport fleets) for road, 
rail, aviation, maritime transport and intermodality, including timetables and milestones for 
implementation, administrative responsibilities as well as financing plans. 

–  Further  develop  an  infrastructure  policy  in  order  to  identify  and  evaluate  infrastructure 

projects in the various modes of transport. 

–  Develop funding strategies focusing on maintenance, capacity constraints and missing link 
infrastructure  as  well  as  activate  and  promote  the  participation  of  the  private  sector  in 
transport projects. 

•  Regional cooperation: 

–  Continue  to  participate  in  the  planning  exercise  for  transport  infrastructure  in  the 

Mediterranean. 

–  Continue to participate in the development of Global Navigation Satellite Systems in the 

Mediterranean region. 

EN 

33 

   EN 

–  Take  the  necessary  facilitation  actions,  also  in  line  with  the  Regional  Transport  Action 
Plan that aim to improve the functioning of the transport network in order to increase the 
fluidity of the transport flows between Jordan, regional partners and the EU. 

b) 

Implement selected measures and reforms in the road and rail sector 

–  Establish a single regulatory body for land transport (railway and road). 

–  Develop an integrated inter-modal public transport system. 

–  Continue the implementation of a license regime in the road sector both for passenger and 
freight  operations  with  a  view  to  ensuring  level  playing  field  in  the  freight  sector  and 
stimulate public passenger transport. 

–  Continue  to  strengthen  the  enforcement  standards  in  the  field  of  social  legislation  and 
technical  requirements  with  international  conventions  and  EU  standards  in  the  area  of 
dangerous goods and driving times. 

–  Implement  the  railway  policy  with  a  view  to  improving  safety,  speed  and  efficiency  of 
freight  transport  services  (including  issues  of  border  crossing  procedures)  including  the 
development  of  inter-modality  and  multi-modal  services,  addressing  also  issues  of 
interoperability in particular as regards different gauges and other technical standards. 

•  Regional cooperation: 

–  Explore  the  benefits  of  regional  cooperation  with  a  view  to  promote  efficiency  and 

interoperability of land transport services. 

–  Continue  work  towards  further  approximation  of  legislative  and  regulatory  frameworks 

with European and International standards, also in a regional context. 

c) 

Implement selected measures and reforms in the aviation sector 

–  Ensure  the  implementation  of  the  Euro  Mediterranean  Aviation  Agreement  signed  on  15 
December  2010  in  order  to  allow  a  swift  convergence  of  the  legal  framework  applicable 
and a progressive opening-up of the air market access. 

–  Continue the implementation of the existing national aviation policy and further reinforce 
administrative capacity (including a separation of regulatory and operational functions of 
the CAA). 

–  Explore  possibilities  to  involve  Jordan  in  the  Single  European  Sky  and  enhance  the 

implementation of the Blue Med initiative. 

–  Cooperate closely in the area of aviation policy. 

–  Intensify the work with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). 

–  Co-operate on aviation security matters (common rules to combat international terrorism) 
in  accordance  with  the  Euro  Mediterranean  Aviation  Agreement  and  the  relevant 
international conventions. 

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–  Encourage the technical cooperation with the Civil Aviation Authorities of the EU Member 

States. 

d) 

Implement selected measures and reforms in the maritime sector 

–  Cooperate with EU with a view to aligning maritime safety and security policies. 

–  Enforce  maritime  safety  and  security  measures  through  implementation  of  Port  State 
Control  and  Flag  State  Implementation  systems  and  strengthen  institutional  structures  in 
maritime administration and the port sector to enable it to take on its responsibilities in the 
areas  of  safety,  security  and  maritime  pollution  prevention  and  control,  including 
upgrading  radio  communications  facility  and  establishing  Vessel  Traffic  Service  (VTS) 
system and training of seafarers. 

–  Continue  implementation  of  the  relevant  international  IMO  (International  Maritime 
Organisation) conventions as well as resolutions of the Maritime Environment Protection 
Committee on tanker safety. 

–  Study  and  implement  the  restructuring  of  the  port  sector  (separating  operational  and 
commercial  functions)  and  the  identification  of  technical  support  actions  aimed  at 
improving the quality of port infrastructure and services. 

–  For  ports  identified  as  Motorways  of  the  Sea  ports,  commit  to  certain  quality  criteria 
related to port infrastructures and port services, administrative procedures and coordination 
of inspections, maritime and intermodal services. 

•  Regional cooperation: 

–  Continue to take part in regional cooperation regarding maritime policy, ports and short sea 

shipping. 

–  Continue  the  cooperation  with  EU  and  Mediterranean  partners  in  the  framework  of  the 
International  Maritime  Organisation  and  promote  the  participation  in  the  new  regional 
project on maritime safety (SAFEMED). 

C. 

SCIENTIFIC AND HUMAN DIMENSION 

XIV. 

Information society, science and technology, research and innovation 

(51) 

Information society and audiovisual cooperation 

a) 

Information society cooperation 

Further  progress  in  and  exchange  of  views  on  electronic  communications  policy  and 
regulation 

–  Continue  the  development  of  a  comprehensive  regulatory  framework  including,  the 
authorisation of, access to and interconnection of networks and services, Universal Service 
and  users'  rights,  consumer  protection,  processing  of  personal  data  and  protection  of 
privacy in the e-communications sector, management of radio spectrum, cost-orientation of 
tariffs.  

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–  Cooperate  in  order  to  further  strengthen  the  independence  and  administrative  capacity  of 
the  Telecommunications  Regulatory  Commission  (TRC)  in  order  to  ensure  its  ability  to 
take appropriate  regulatory  measures,  to enforce  them  and  to  monitor  fair  competition  in 
the markets. 

–  Cooperate with the Euromed Group of Electronic Communications Regulators (EMERG) 

and with regulatory authorities of EU Member States on issues of common interest. 

–  Promote cooperation on information society policies  

Further progress in the development and use of Information Society applications 

–  Cooperate  to  review  and  implement  the  Jordan  Information  and  Communications 
Technologies  (ICT)  strategy,  in  particular  on  the  promotion  of  broadband  access, 
improvement  of  network  security,  introduction  of  New  Generation  Networks  (NGN)  and 
the  widespread  use  of  ICT  by  citizens,  business  and  the  administrations  by  developing 
local  content  for  the  Internet  and  introducing  online  services,  and  cloud  computing,  in 
particular e-business, e-government, e-health and e-learning as well as e-signature. 

–  Cooperation  in  developing  public-private  partnerships  for  the  implementation  of  the 

National ICT Strategy (NIS) in Jordan.  

–  Promote  joint  projects  within  the  ICT-theme  of  the  Framework  Programme  of  the 

European Community for research and technological development.  

b) 

Audio-visual cooperation 

–  Promote an exchange of views on audiovisual policy. 

–  Implement  a  transparent,  efficient  and  predictable  regulatory  system  and  continue  to 
strengthen  and  preserve  the  independence  of  the  regulatory  authority  in  the  audio-visual 
sector. 

–  Encourage the exchange of information and experience with regard to regulatory aspects of 

the audiovisual sector. 

(52) 

Science and technology, research and development and innovation 

a) 

Accelerate  the  involvement  of  Jordan  into  the  European  Research  Area  and  the 
Community Framework Programme 

–  Implement the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement. Foster and complete the 
network  of  national  contact  points  (NCPs)  for  the  Research  Framework  Programme,  and 
develop  from  that  network  a  set  of  thematic  NCPs  under  the  coordination  of  Jordan's 
Information Point at the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST). 

–  Take advantage of the possibility to participate in the Enterprise Europe Network. 

–  Strengthen  capacities  of  the  Higher  Council  for  Science  and  Technology  and  Scientific 

Research Support Fund. 

–  Review and develop a sound policy for RDI (Research and Development and Innovation). 

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–  Increase  Jordan’s  participation  in  the  Seventh  Framework  Programme  for  Research  and 

Technological Development (FP7). 

–  Promote  research  capacity  building  to  increase  Jordan's  involvement  in  the  European 

Research Area. 

–  Strengthen the S&T regional dialogue with other Mediterranean countries and with the EU 
through the FP7 Capacity instruments (Inconet project MIRA and ERAWIDE initiatives) 
as well as other Community Programmes. 

b) 

Develop  the  scientific  and  technological  capacity  with  a  focus  on  the  use  of  RTD 
results by the industrial and SME sector to enhance innovation 

–  Establish  national  technology  transfer  program  with  an  emphasis  on  linking  research 

institutions, the business-industrial sector through a central coordinating body. 

–  Review to RDI policy to ensure applicability to industry (private sector). 

–  Raising  awareness  about  the  value  of  commercialization  to  the  country  and  build  the 

capacity of individuals following up the commercialization process. 

–  Increase collaboration between researchers and the private sector. 

c) 

Promote the integration of Jordan into scientific high-level exchanges 

–  Increase Jordan’s participation in the international Marie Curie programme, particularly the 

International Research Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES scheme).  

–  Reinforce  the  staff  exchange  in  the  research  projects  and  promote  the  participation  of 

Jordanian scientists in international scientific debates. 

XV. 

People-to-people contacts 

(53) 

Education, training and youth 

a) 

Pursue reform of the education and training systems and work, within the framework 
of  the  Jordanian  national  programme,  towards  convergence  with  EU  standards  and 
practice 

–  Support  the  reform  of  the  education  system  according  to  the  Jordanian  national 
programme,  in  close  cooperation  with  the  national  institutions  involved  in  the  quality 
assurance of education and training provision. 

–  Foster  the  development  of  human  capital  and  the  involvement  of  social  partners  in 

education and training provision and their reform. 

–  Promote  the  development  of  a  national  qualifications  framework  including  occupational 

and skills profiles as well as advance the labour market integration of women. 

–  Promote higher education reform, including quality assurance and credit transfer, through 
the TEMPUS  programme as well as  student and academic mobility through the Erasmus 
Mundus programme. 

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–  Foster  the  reform  of  higher  education  in  line  with  the  principles  of  Bologna  Process  and 
promote Jordan’s integration into the Copenhagen Process in line with the 2008 Bordeaux 
Communiqué. 

b) 

Enhance cooperation in the field of education, training and youth 

–  Pursue  a  policy  dialogue  on  quality  and  quality  assurance  in  education  and  training 

including the transparency and recognition of qualifications. 

–  Promote  lifelong  learning  including  entrepreneurial  learning  in  order  to  adapt  national 

provisions to the needs of the labour market and the knowledge economy. 

–  Promote the development of evidence-based policy making within the national vocational 
education and training system through participation in peer learning within the context of 
the Torino Process. 

–  Increase links among Jordanian educational institutions and with the EU. 

–  Enhance  youth  exchanges  and  cooperation  in  the  field  of  non-formal  education  and 

intercultural dialogue. 

c) 

Enhance cultural cooperation 

–  Promote  cultural  cooperation  and  cultural  exchanges  in  accordance  with  the  principles 
enshrined  in  the  2005  UNESCO  Convention  on  the  Protection  and  Promotion  of  the 
Diversity of Cultural Expressions. 

–  Cooperation  on  cultural  policy  issues  and  in  fields  of  mutual  interest,  including  the 

management of cultural heritage and the development of cultural industries. 

–  Promote dialogue between cultures. 

–  Cooperation in international fora such as UNESCO, inter alia, in order to develop cultural 

diversity and preserve and valorise cultural and historical heritage. 

–  Enhance Jordan’s participation in the relevant EC cultural cooperation programmes. 

(54) 

Public health 

Enhance the level of public health in Jordan and step-up health dialogue 

–  Continue Jordan’s health sector reform. 

–  Dialogue on the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases 
including  the  implementation  of  the  International  Health  regulations  and  the  Framework 
Convention for Tobacco Control. 

–  Cooperation on health information and participation of Jordan in the EU’s enlarged health 

information network. 

–  Pursue  regional  health  cooperation  including  in  the  context  of  the  Union  for  the 

Mediterranean. 

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D.  MONITORING 

Progress in meeting these priorities is monitored in the sub-committees established under the 
Association Agreement. 

The Action Plans will guide the work between the EU and Jordan. Should the need arise, on 
the  EU  side,  for  specific  measures  necessitating  legally  binding  decisions,  the  Commission 
will recommend to the Council the adoption of the necessary negotiating directives. 

The joint bodies established under the Association Agreement will advance and monitor the 
implementation of the Action Plan on the basis of regular reports on its implementation. 

The  Action  Plan  can  be  regularly  amended  and/or  updated  to  reflect  progress  in  addressing 
the priorities. 

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