3. What are the priorities for cooperation in the next phase?
Continuity will be ensured with most of the sectors of cooperation addressed under our previous cooperation cycle with the necessary adaptations in order to respond to the challenges Jordan is currently faced with, notably its high unemployment rate, as the need to preserve social cohesion and progress with political reforms.
In the period from 2021 to 2027, the EU plans to support three main priorities: good governance, green growth & sustainable economy, and human development & employability. In doing so, the EU will translate in its cooperation with Jordan the implementation of the main goals of the renewed Partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood, as well as the EU’s Green Deal that promotes the prevention and mitigation of climate change, while linking it with the creation of new job opportunities. It will also introduce a new instrument providing guarantees aimed at supporting major investments. These orientations align very well with the priorities in the Jordanian Government’s Indicative Executive Programme 2021-2024.
The EU will aim to further develop its cooperation in line with the “Team Europe” approach. So from now on, we hope to develop a Team Europe Initiative to help with the sustainable management of one of Jordan’s key sectors, the water sector. The EU, together with its Member States and the European Financing Institutions like EIB and EBRD, will join forces in order to support some key reforms in the water sector, including financial sustainability, sustainable water resources management for domestic, industrial and agricultural uses, in full alignment with the strategies and action plans developed by the Government of Jordan. The main objectives of Jordan’s Green growth strategy, notably its energy – water – food nexus, will be supported through capacity building, institutional support, technology, digitalisation, research and innovation.
4. How is the EU cooperating with Jordan to confront the Coronavirus pandemic?
The EU reacted quickly in responding to Jordan’s request for support following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, whose effects had a significant impact on the social, political and economic sectors. In response, the “Team Europe” initiative provided €841 million since the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020. These funds were channelled to support the Government’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the crisis by directly supporting the state budget, in addition to technical cooperation and support to four main pillars: health, social protection, education and economic recovery.
For example, the European Union provided €416 million for emergency response to strengthen the health system and to address the socio-economic impact of the crisis. At the same time, €8 million were allocated through the Madad Fund for the purchase of vaccines in cooperation with WHO; 290,000 doses of covid-19 vaccine were already purchased and delivered to Jordan.
We will continue to support the Jordanian Government and the affected sectors, particularly the health sector, until we can overcome this pandemic together.
Source: Jordan News Agency