The EIB intends to focus the bulk of its activities on key infrastructure projects (urban transport, railways, energy, environment, water), PPPs including in the Renewable Energy Sector, private sector projects, SMEs and risk capital.

In order to comply with the borrowing requirements of the Jordanian Government, a blending with substantial grant elements from the European Commission is essential in order to offer a competitive European financing package.

In addition to the various financial initiatives to be made available by various IFIs, the Task Force acknowledged that the European Commission will reinforce the financial allocation of the Neighbourhood Investment Facility (up to €100 million) that could also finance investment projects in Jordan in partnership with the private sector.

Jordan, now a fully-fledged member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), will also be eligible for EBRD investments helping to implement the programmes of economic reforms.

It is expected that EBRD investments will build up over 2-3 years to an annual volume that compares with countries of similar size in Eastern Europe, which could range up to €300 million depending on needs and opportunities in any given year.

The Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and Jordanian authorities are exploring all the opportunities aimed at creating new job opportunities and at supporting SMEs particularly in the fields of energy and transport.

Promoting business and "people to people" links, mobility, and know-how exchange: Building on the productive discussions that took place in the Task-Force meeting, European and Jordanian entrepreneurs will establish a "business to business" forum in order to foster commercial relationships and strengthen EU-Jordanian economic relations in areas of mutual interest, by creating a strong, sustainable and expanding dialogue of business leaders.

The Taskforce welcomed the report of the Business Community meeting that took place the previous day.

In order to promote "people to people" contacts, the Task Force called on EU Member States and Jordan to make full use of all facilitations foreseen under their existing visa legislations to simplify the conditions and procedures for issuing visas, in particular to students, researchers, business people and to bona fide frequent-travellers. The EU will fully support this process by taking appropriate initiatives, notably in the framework of local Schengen cooperation.

Moreover, taking into consideration the European Council conclusions of 24 June 2011, the Task Force underlined the importance of the EU and Jordan starting without delay a dialogue on migration, mobility and security which pending a Council decision, would lead to the conclusion of a Mobility Partnership. A mission led by DG HOME will travel to Jordan in the coming weeks to hold exploratory talks.

The Task-Force looks forward to finalising the Protocol to the Association Agreement, allowing Jordan to participate in Union programmes. The signature of the Protocol will be another important step towards closer bilateral EU-Jordan cooperation and dialogue, underpinning Jordan’s reform efforts.

The EU and Jordan will continue dialogue on Jordan’s participation in the work of EU agencies and programmes, and jointly identify key priorities for further efforts and support.

Jordan has been a frontrunner in the Mediterranean region in the use of twinning arrangements since 2004.

The Task-Force took note that this instrument, conceived for targeted co-operation between EU Member States public administrations and sister organisations in ENP partner countries in strengthening their administrative and judicial capacity, has been particularly effective in helping the Jordanian administration implementing the relevant sectoral strategies and adapting its legislation to EU and international standards.

It has led to lasting professional partnerships that have brought the EU and Jordan closer together.

The EU also welcomes a stronger Jordanian participation in its programmes to promote exchanges in higher education. 160 universities and training institutions have already visited Amman to raise awareness and 14 Tempus projects with Jordanian higher education institutions are already under way towards their modernization, mainly through university cooperation projects. More will follow with the planned budgetary reinforcement of €6.5 million for South Mediterranean countries in 2012.

Jordan will also be a major beneficiary of the recent doubling of the Erasmus Mundus budget for Southern Mediterranean countries, facilitating additional partnerships between universities and greater mobility of students and academic staff from that region.

The Task Force noted with concern the plight of the tens of thousands Syrians in Jordan, having fled their country. The European Commission has so far made available €3 million for humanitarian relief for the victims of the ongoing violence in Syria residing in Jordan. The EU commended the Jordanian Government for keeping the border with Syria open to allow Syrians to pass freely, for making available accommodation for Syrian families, for preparing camps, and for allowing an estimated 5,500 Syrian children to attend Jordanian state schools.

Investing in the future.

With a view to guaranteeing a concrete follow up to the commitments, and because of the need for closer coordination, the Task Force decided the following: - The EU and the Jordanian Government will continue to meet on a regular basis to assess the progress and implementation of the recommendations agreed by the Task Force.

- The joint bodies established under the Association Agreement will monitor and follow-up the implementation of the Task Force's recommendations. In particular, the EU-Jordan Association Council is foreseen to take place before the end of the first semester of 2012.

- It was agreed to organise a second meeting of the Task Force in 2013.

//Petra// AA Ends 22/2/2012 - 11:00:21 PM