Statement of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 

1.       On the occasion of the Second Association Council Meeting, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan reaffirms its commitment in working strenuously to enhance our partnership and develop our relations in all domains.

The Barcelona Process and the subsequent Valencia process represent an important podium for constructive and valuable dialogue on all issues of common interest.  Political dialogue extends mutual understanding and common interests between the parties, and at the same time provides an opportunity to converge positions on major international issues that affect the parties concerned. The European-Mediterranean Partnership envisaged in the Barcelona Process is a good example of a comprehensive political, economic, social, and cultural approach.  Economic and Trade relations form important bases for the progress of agreements and for the interconnections between states. However, political dialogue is essential to ensure that this harmony is guaranteed.

2.       Regular political dialogue between Jordan and the EU will further strengthen relations, increase mutual understanding, and will provide a chance for unifying positions on major international issues affecting both parties.  This dialogue can further enhance common interests on issues such as peace, security, human rights, democracy and regional development- principles that the European Union was founded by, together with the aim of achieving stability.

3.       The Jordan-EU Association Agreement, followed by the first Association Council Meeting that was held in June 2002, offered a renewed and significant momentum to Jordan's bilateral relations with the EU. This Agreement heralds the culmination of the relationship between Jordan and the European Union, and reflects the advancement of our bilateral cooperation based upon common interests and shared perceptions for the welfare of our peoples. Moreover, it further consolidates relations with the EU in the political, economic, and social spheres.

Furthermore, the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership constitutes an important framework for the development of common rules and cooperation in numerous fields, which is an important factor for the stability of the Mediterranean region.

I.        The Political Situation in the Middle East

4.       The Middle East has experienced six conflicts since the outbreak of World War II, which resulted in serious instability throughout the years. This has affected the development of the region, by encouraging massive investment in weapons rather than in constructive forms of social and economic development.

In order to make the Euro-Med process more applicable, one has to take notice of the realities taking place in this region and to address them in a compelling manner, with a longer-term perspective.  This is essential in order to encourage governments to engage in gradual political and economic reform, while contributing to international order and stability.  

5.       Jordan is situated in a politically sensitive region, and it is directly affected by any developments related to any of its neighbouring countries. Over the years, Jordan had to contend with an array of external influences, which have increased amidst the highest levels of tension in the area in recent times. This situation has had an extremely negative impact on the country's fragile economic structure, and has discouraged foreign investors and investments in the country.

II.      The Arab-Israeli Conflict and the Situation in the Palestinian Territories

6.       Jordan's Position. As a dependable force for peace in the region and a key partner in attempts to find a political solution for the Arab-Israeli conflict, Jordan continues to advocate coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis, and between all people in the region.  The focus and attention of the international community must be directed at solving, without any delay or procrastination, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as a prelude to solving, comprehensively, the broader Arab-Israeli conflict.

The irrational actions and inevitable reactions help destroy the prospects of peace in the Middle East. The time has come to focus on a sustained political process that goes all the way to provide the Palestinian people with a credible alternative. Arab States and Palestinians themselves have lost interest in an open-ended and incremental process that provides no clear vision for an end game. The end game should be a clear right from the start.

Only a just and permanent solution based on international law can ever lead to peace in the region.  This should be based on full Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian territories that were occupied in 1967, establishing an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital, and finding a just and equal solution to the refugee problem.

All settlement activity must seize immediately whether this involves building new settlements or expanding current outposts. The settlements are illegal under international law and stand as a blundering obstacle in the path of peace that we all seek. We are concerned that there will be no land to negotiate about at a certain point of time, without a total end to settlement activity and an acceptable solution to the present one.

Jordan's position remains ardent in refusing all efforts to change facts on the ground. We believe that Israel's construction of the "Separation Wall" constitutes an Israeli attempt to change facts on the ground which stands as a breach of all agreements and understandings between all sides involved, as this eventually might endanger and affect the future borders and the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian state and the Palestinian rights in their home land.

7.       Jordan reiterates its support to Prime Minister Ahmad Qureih's designated government in its efforts on security and reform. Jordan is ready to provide all needed assistance for these efforts to succeed.  In the meantime, President Yasser Arafat remains the legitimate and elected leader of the Palestinian people.

Jordan believes that the Palestinian people have the exclusive and sole right to choose their leaders and reaffirms that any attempts to change this situation would prove counterproductive to the ongoing efforts to bring along peaceful settlements to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Another major issue that Jordan views with utmost concern and significance is the issue of the holy city of Jerusalem. The city that symbolizes peace has been transformed into a city associated with conflict. Jordan has been since earlier times entrusted with a magnanimous responsibility with respect to the holy city of Jerusalem. Jordan took it upon itself to safeguard all the holy places within the city whether Muslim, Christian, or Jewish, and Jordan will remain resolute in its determination to never relinquish the rights of all the faiths in this holy city. It is Jordan's duty to unite all efforts in liberating this great city from a ghastly image it so unjustly has earned.

Jordan believes in the need for this city to be one open to all monotheistic religions, it believes that this is a city of freedom and peace. In this regard Jordan stresses the importance of resolving this issue with the proclamation of East Jerusalem as the capital of the independent Palestinian state.

Jordan also emphasizes the importance of the Syrian and Lebanese Tracks in order to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace between Israel and the Arab world.

8.       Territory: An Essential Component. Meanwhile, territorial integrity and contiguity is the key to achieving a lasting settlement.  Any further dissection of Palestinian territory would make it politically and economically impossible to maintain a state.  Therefore the establishment of a territorially viable Palestinian state and not ‘civilian pockets under Israeli rule on Palestinian land' is of utmost importance.

The EU can play a major role during this critical stage in the resumption of the negotiations, peacekeeping and long term solutions. The Europeans have played a vital role in international efforts aimed at defusing the tension between Israelis and Palestinians by pressing for a ceasefire and insuring the implementation of mechanisms especially the Road Map to resume the political process. The EU tries to promote the process of reconciliation between the two sides through political means conducted by the European Union's Foreign policy Chief and the European Union's special envoy to the region

The EU has endorsed the principle of “third-party monitoring,” through the Quartet and can restate its readiness to assume an active role of the peacekeeping. Moreover, Crisis management (humanitarian tasks, peacekeeping and peace making) has been explicitly included in the Amsterdam Treaty.  Similar to its role in the Balkans, the EU can play a constructive role in the Middle East.

9.       Jordan's Position with Regard to the “Road Map” for the Peace Process. Jordan has repeatedly stressed on the importance of a plan which has, as its centrepiece, a clear vision of the end point for the Palestinians, in terms of a state.

Jordan welcomes the formal announcement of the Roadmap without any amendments to its text and is hopeful that the Map would constitute a fresh and healthy beginning that will allow re-launching of the Peace Process on solid bases that will ultimately lead to an end to Israeli occupation and an emergence of an independent Palestinian state by mid 2005.

Jordan is mindful of the fact that the announcement of the Roadmap is not sufficient to reach those objectives and understands that the existence of a firm commitment to implement the Roadmap by the United States, the Quartet, and in the international community is essential.

The Road map contains three cardinal principles, namely; the adoption of the Arab Peace Initiative as one of the basis of a final solution, the setting of a clear time frame of three years for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, as well as the inclusion of a mechanism for monitoring. These principles should be strictly adhered to and fully implemented.

Moreover, the Road Map represents a new path towards peace. It is a collective effort   on behalf of the International community as a whole, realizing the global obligation in quest of an end to the Middle East conflict. The American administration appears to be determined to implement all clauses of the Road Map and President Bush has demonstrated to the entire world his personal involvement.

The road map has also provided a new breath of hope as it aims to create an independent and viable Palestinian state within the year 2005, with clearly defined borders and compatible with international legitimacy. This initiative will eventually lead to a comprehensive peace on all tracks.

Jordan believes that we should stay the course with a view to implement the Road Map and to put an end to the Israeli occupation and to the tragic killing of civilians on both Palestinian and Israeli sides.

Jordan believes that the current Israeli government has not indicated its unequivocal acceptance of the two -state solution that the road map calls for by 2005. Israel also submitted 14 reservations on the Road Map, both security related and other reservations calling for the dropping of the Arab Peace Initiative, dropping the right of return, and postponing the issue of settlement from the first phase to the final phase of the Road Map.

A comprehensive monitoring by the Quartet is essential. Monitoring security issues is not enough; it should include political monitoring as well in order to ensure that both parties are meeting their commitments under the Road Map.

10.    The Aqaba Summit 2003. The recent summit in Aqaba signified Jordan's dedication towards achieving peace in the Middle East, it also stood as a crowning achievement of the efforts of the Quartet in which the European Union played a vital role in formulating the Road Map.

Jordan believes that the path towards a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the region must be achieved through a collective effort on behalf of the international community. Jordan will remain resolute in pursuing this strategic objective and will continue to provide a diplomatic platform that will only serve to enhance and support all efforts to achieve and therefore sustain an environment of peace and stability.

This summit has given a new impetus to those who stand on the side of peace creating a political opportunity and a window of hope for all sides involved in the Middle East conflict. This quagmire has been the source of tension throughout the region and beyond, and it is imperative that we should stand united in seeking a just and permanent solution.

Jordan has been relentless in pursuing a diplomatic solution to the Israeli Palestinian crisis, and the Aqaba summit served to embody this principle on our part. This was demonstrated by the efforts of His Majesty King Abdullah II to bring the Israeli and Palestinians back to the negotiating table through the Aqaba doorway, thus making the Aqaba summit a corner stone in the new chapter of the peace process that we witness today.

Jordan expresses its deep concerns over the recent proposal of a draft law on "Nationality and Entry into Israel law" to the Israeli Knesset, Jordan feels that this proposal, if adopted, would be contradictory to one of the most basic human rights; namely the right of family members to enjoy a dignified life free from the pain and anguish of politically motivated rules of separation.

III.       Organization for Security and Corporation in Europe (OSCE) Mediterranean Seminar, 2003.

11.    The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Permanent Council, OSCE, decided after a discussion in the Contact Group with the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation to hold the 2003 Mediterranean Seminar in Aqaba, Jordan, on 20-21 October 2003, on the topic "The comprehensive approach to security: The OSCE experience and its relevance for the Mediterranean region".

In the statement issued by the Italian Presidency of the European Union on 24 July 2003, the European Union expressed its deep appreciation for Jordan's offer to host this seminar in Aqaba. For the first time in years, this seminar will be held in one of the Mediterranean Partner countries, in a city which stands also as a symbol of progress and hope in the Middle East Peace Process.

The statement also includes that the EU views this as a very positive step in the development and further strengthening of the OSCE Mediterranean dialogue since it is expected to benefit a larger audience in our region.  

The statement said "The very same comprehensive approach applies to the European Mediterranean Partnership, which the EU remains committed to enhance further also in the context of a Wider Europe. Giving fresh impetus and substance to the Barcelona Process, thus contributing to stabilization, growth and increased mutual trust and understanding in Euro-Mediterranean region, continues to be an important objective for the Union."

IV.       The Iraqi Issue

12.    Jordan believes that the fast recovery and re-introduction of Iraq to the international community is of principal importance, Jordan has welcomed the formation of the Iraqi Governing Council. Jordan's position remains firm in its call for the representation of all the ethnic and religious groups as well as political spectra in any future Iraqi government.

Such a government has to be the product of a constitution drafted, accepted, and approved by the Iraqi people and it has to be effective and able to rule the country and ensure its sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence and to work towards the resumption of Iraq's prominent natural position regionally and internationally with a clear commitment to live in peace and harmony with its neighbouring countries. 

The Jordanian Position is best represented in what His Majesty King Abdullah II said in this regard: "the security in Iraq will be restored once Iraqis are allowed to manage their own affairs and inaugurate the democratic process to which they aspire". 

In this context; Jordan believes that the United Nations and countries neighbouring Iraq must assume a supervisory role in the elections that will be held to establish a permanent Iraqi government. Such supervision and participation would ensure transparency and impartiality and would offset foreign intervention in the process of choosing a permanent Iraqi government. 

13.    The recent bombing of Jordan's Embassy in Baghdad has re-affirmed Jordan's intent to continue its logistical support to the Iraqi people. Despite the recent shooting which claimed the life of a Jordanian guard within the premises of the Jordanian Field Hospital in Fallujah, Jordan is committed to its humanitarian support by means of continuing the supply of Jordanian medical expertise through the Hospital in order to treat thousands of Iraqi civilians on a daily basis.

Jordan has also condemned the bombing of the United Nations Headquarters in Baghdad which has taken the lives of many innocent people including the Personal Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in Baghdad, the late Sergio de Millo, as well as the life of a Jordanian National whose life was cut short just days after her arrival to Baghdad. The clear and present danger of other acts of Terrorism in Iraq must urge us all to work tirelessly in the direction of addressing the Iraqi people's need for peace and security.

14.    Furthermore, Jordan believes that the international community and the United Nations should have a pivotal and central role in Iraq, including active political participation in the next phase that transcends the humanitarian aspect in order to safeguard and guarantee that any Iraqi government that emerges in the future would have international as well as domestic legitimacy.

In the meantime, Jordan is committed to continue its leading efforts in providing humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people and to utilize its territory as a transit point through which humanitarian assistance is channelled to Iraq from different countries and international organizations. Jordan is keen on continuing and on consolidating its solid historic relations with the Iraqi people and is committed to further developing its relations in all aspects.

Jordan's serious interest in the fast restoration of the rule of law within a sovereign and peaceful Iraq was clearly represented by His Majesty King Abdullah II recent announcement of the Jordanian intention to train 30 thousand Iraqi Policemen in Jordan, which would undoubtedly be a great facilitation of efforts towards the establishment of a strong and viable security apparatus capable of shouldering the security requirements of the Iraqi people.

V.          Combating Terrorism

15.    Jordan's longstanding principled position has put it at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, not only because of Jordan's deep conviction against terrorism but also because Jordan was a victim of this terrible evil. Accordingly, Jordan pledges to continue in exerting full cooperation with all parties in combating this common enemy. Jordan will continue to fight terrorism and its perpetrators with all possible means. Security and stability are the country's top priority and no terrorist individual or organization will be tolerated.

Jordan takes the view that resorting to military means will not be enough to uproot international terrorism. Economic and social factors and other root causes for this abhorrent phenomenon need to be taken into consideration and to be sufficiently addressed in order to fully eradicate this evil.

Jordan has taken concrete steps in fighting terrorism at the national legislative level, practical security measures, and international conventions and treaties on combating terrorism.

16.    The National Legislature. An amended penal law emphasized and increased the punishment on any act deemed to be an act of terrorism. It penalized individuals that seek to establish groups and gangs with the aim of conducting criminal and terrorist acts. It also emphasized, that those who assist these groups financially or provide them with weapons will be punishment by law.  

Furthermore, stricter border controls were introduced, and the Jordanian customs law granted custom officers new authority to investigate and handle any illicit trafficking. 

17.    Practical Security Measures. Instructions were delivered to all banks operating in the Kingdom to comply with UNSC resolutions pertaining to combating terrorism, and specifically to freeze funds of terrorist organizations and transactions. Instructions were also issued to check suspicious bank accounts and freeze them according to the request of the government and in compliance with U.N Security Council resolution no. 1373. Additional instructions were issued to combat money laundering.  Moreover, new passports and national identity cards were issued in line with international standards in order to prevent fraud.

The security apparatus in Jordan is following closely all activities in the country that may relate to terrorism. It maintains a high degree of transparency and cooperation with friendly states including the Interpol. Intelligence data is constantly being exchanged with many countries to facilitate combating terrorism. There are also several bilateral security cooperation agreements in force. Strict measures have been introduced to monitor any transactions that include the purchase of materials used in the making of explosives and bombs.

Jordan takes all necessary measures to prevent the entry of terrorists and those affiliated with terrorist organizations into its territory.

18.    International Conventions and Treaties on Combating Terrorism. Jordan is party to seven international treaties relevant to combating terrorism which include the following: 

(a)      The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against International Protected Persons, Including Diplomatic Agents.

(b)      The International Convention against the Taking of Hostages.

(c)      The Convention on Offences and Certain other Acts Committed Onboard Aircraft.

(d)     The Convention for the suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft.

(e)      The Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation.

(f)       The Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts of Violence at Airports serving International Civil Aviation.

(g)      The Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection. 

Jordan has also signed the International Convention of the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. Jordan is currently exploring the signing of additional International conventions regarding the fight against terrorism.

VI.       The Misconception of linking Islam with Terrorism

19.    It is important not to make the false and misleading link - that appears to exist- between Islam and terrorism.  It is equally wrong to condemn every Arab and Muslim as culprits of terrorist acts - simply because some individuals have instrumentalised and politicized religion to justify their distorted beliefs and manifestations. 

Jordan stresses the need to confront all ill motivated attempts aiming at connecting Islam with terrorism, and at holding Arabs and Muslims responsible for terror attacks or for any other form of international terrorism. In this regard, Jordan maintains that terrorism is a global phenomenon and that its causes and motivations are religiously and culturally neutral. 

Jordan views terrorism in a way that defies the teachings of Islam and the culture of modern society. Islam is not only a religion but also a way of life, where the principles of tolerance and dialogue prevail. The bond between religion and peace should be strengthened as a key for eradicating fundamentalism. 

His Majesty King Abdullah II said in an article published in the Washington Post "The True Voice of Islam", "Extremists violently reject the original moderation and openness of Islam - qualities that made the Muslim world the historical home of diversity and learning. Nor does their violence constitute “jihad,” or holy war. The Prophet Muhammad tells us that the “greater” holy war is not against others at all but against one's own failings - the “war against the ego.”"

His Majesty the Late King Hussein once said, "Terrorism is not the ultimate sacrifice. The killing of innocent people is not Jihad. Jihad in the service of faith that requires respect for human life, and respect for treaties and charters. Islam strictly forbids the killing of civilians". 

Islam does not preach violence, and most certainly, does not excuse or condone terror.  Like all of the great world religions, Islam advocates tolerance and dialogue, and preaches compassion and justice.

In this case, it is essential not to simply narrow down the issue to a religious dispute.  Ignorance of other beliefs and apathy towards religious and cultural differences provides a breeding ground for potential fanatics, influenced by fundamentalist religious indoctrination, to turn to radical solutions.  In addition, issues such as poverty, unemployment, and the feeling of hopelessness, must genuinely be tackled, while public policies and a framework for a dialogue of cultures is necessary to maintain and foster common values and interests.  

VII.     The Extraordinary Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum 2003.

20.    The World Economic Forum convened an "extraordinary" annual meeting in Jordan, the Global Reconciliation Summit, under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II, during the period 21-23 June 2003. 

This Summit offered a platform for discussions to replace the recent period of confrontation with a spirit of cooperation through a vital exchange of views among academic, business, religious, social and political leaders. Jordan believes that the efforts to build a better world must begin with a joint endeavour to redefine the values that everyone share. Moreover, Jordan believes that events take place in the Middle East may affect the entire world. 

VIII.  Euro-Mediterranean Foundation on a dialogue of Cultures and Civilization

21.    Jordan considers that the dialogue between Cultures and Civilizations has a great potential in preventing conflicts in order to promote peace and better understanding on the international, national and local levels by reducing misunderstandings and mistrust, and by laying the foundation for a non-violent resolution of problems. It also has enormous potential to solve current and future economic, social, and political problems by sharing experiences and by joint implementations of remedies. Jordan believes that the idea of accepting the others is a corner stone in any debate and/ or dialogue.

Jordan firmly believes that inter-civilization and inter-cultural dialogue can result in a collective sense of shared goals, enabling all of us to address the most important issues of all: what kind of future world do we want to live in? How can we work together to solve the problems facing humankind today, and begin creating that future? This does not necessarily imply a common approach to every issue, but without such a constructive dialogue the future is less likely to become one that we aspire to.

22.    Regarding the establishment of this foundation, Jordan prefers that the Euro-Mediterranean partners come to an agreement on establishing a headquarter for the proposed foundation instead of putting it in a framework of a network of networks, with a full independent administrative structure and experts representing the Euro-Med partner countries in all fields of cultural dialogue .

The foundation could focus on dialogue on purely cultural issues, away from political issues, and the foundation could prepare programs on the different cultures and arts of the Mediterranean. In this respect, Jordan believes that the government's role would encourage North-to-South and South-to-North youth and cultural tourism. 

IX.        Human Rights in Jordan

23.    Human rights and democracy are a basic tenet of Jordan's political life. Jordan is one of the leading countries in the Middle East region in the field of respecting, solidifying, and protecting Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Indeed, Jordan's concern for the protection of the fundamental rights of the individual is enshrined in The Constitution of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan of 1952, as well as the Jordanian National Covenant of 1990, and the law on political parties of 1992. All these laws are compatible with international human rights standards.

His Majesty King Abdullah II gave an important speech marking Independence Day in 2003, saying: "The time has come to intensify our efforts in order to accelerate the political development process, reinvigorate the role of political parties, and continue to preserve public freedoms. I will personally follow up on this issue with utmost interest and keen pursuance."

Jordan has shouldered enormous human responsibilities over the past decade, and has given shelter to several influxes of refugees from neighbouring countries, adding to an enormous burden on our limited national resources. In addition, Jordan has provided all its citizens, regardless of race, creed, gender or religion, equality and freedom to participate in the democratic process.

24.    2003 Parliamentary Elections. It is noteworthy to mention that parliamentary elections were held on June 17, which emphasized Jordan's deep commitment to the democratic process. This election was by all accounts fair, impartial and transparent. The newly elected Parliament convened in an extraordinary session on 16 July 2003 owing to the fact that according to the constitution, the ordinary session for Parliament convenes on 1 October.

The recently introduced woman's quota put six female deputies in the Lower House of Parliament for the first time in Jordan's Parliament history. What was unique about the results was that most female winners were from outside the capital Amman, with less money and greater grassroots efforts. The Jordanian Government stressed that there was a need to give women in remote and less fortunate areas a chance to come to the city and experience life in the capital as a Member of the Lower House.

There were 54 women that ran in the June 17th elections, and those brought in about 36,000 votes. This is relatively a small figure taking into consideration that there were 713,614 female registered voters (out of 1.3 million) that showed up on elections day did not cast ballots for women candidates.

25.    Human Rights centres in Jordan. Jordan has always been committed to the protection of human rights. An example of this commitment is portrayed through the performance of a number of NGOs such as the National Center for Women Rights, the Public Freedom Committee at the Parliament, and the National Center for Human Rights.

Meanwhile, at the Millennium Summit, Jordan signed and ratified several treaties, which safeguard the fundamental rights of individuals. Moreover, Jordan has already ratified and signed 17 international human rights instruments.

In addition, Jordan currently holds the Presidency of State Parties to the Rome Statute - making it the only Arab country to have ratified the 1998 Rome Statute of the ICC, establishing a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.  

Moreover, Jordan's early ratification of the Rome Statute has granted the Kingdom a tremendous opportunity to influence the tribunal's initial make-up and proceedings, including the selection of the ICC's 18 judges by next February.

As chair of the Assembly of State Parties, Jordan is also actively involved in the difficult selection of the first ICC prosecutor.  The candidate for that post must be a figure of the highest integrity, enjoying the consensus of the international community.

Jordan also signed the two optional protocols on the rights of the child concerning pornography and the situation of children in armed conflict.  Furthermore, the country has participated actively in all international conferences and forums, with the aim of promoting equality of human dignity, mutual respect, tolerance and justice.

26.    The Following is a list of international Agreements, Treaties and Declarations on human rights Jordan has ratified and signed:

-          Convention on the Prevention & Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

-          International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

-          International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights.

-          International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights.

-          International Convention on the Suppression & Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid.

-          Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

-          Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

-          International Convention Against Apartheid in Sports.

-          Convention on the Rights of the Child.

-          Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others.

-          Convention on the Political Rights of Women.

-      Convention on the Nationality of Married Women.

-      Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriages.

-      Protocol Amending the Slavery Convention Signed at Geneva on September 25, 1926.

-      Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery.

27.    The bilateral programme for the Support of Democracy and Human Rights has been launched on 30 June 2003. The four-year programme aims to support the Government of Jordan's ongoing efforts to promote and enhance respect for human rights, democratisation and rule of law, in accordance with the policies and priorities agreed by the Jordanian Government and the EU. Under the Programme, grants will be provided to NGOs to enable them to implement projects and activities designed to enhance democracy, human rights, freedom of expression and a free media. It is also designed to develop the legal institutional framework and enhance women's participation in political, social and economic life and to protect the rights of both the youth and the children. The Programme highlights the importance of the Euro-Jordanian Partnership in achieving prosperity, justice and equality, as stated in the framework of the Barcelona process. It also seeks to enhance the planning capacity and efficiency of the Civil Society Organisations (CBOs) to enable them to play an active role in the community. 

X.          Weapons Proliferation and Regional Security:

28.    Jordan is concerned with the issue of a region free of WMD.  The most viable option in the region will be that of a military containment approach focusing on the elimination of nuclear weapons and the control of conventional weapons.  This will assist in removing the counter-productive future implications that may become the product of compiling such weapons in the Middle East. 

XI.        Drug Trafficking:

29.    The central geographical location of Jordan has unfortunately contributed in rendering the country a conduit for drug smuggling. Nevertheless, the consumption of drugs locally is relatively limited.  The Jordanian government has adopted several measures, in collaboration with neighbouring and international agencies, to combat the use and trafficking of narcotics. 

XII.     Euro-Mediterranean Partnership

30.    Jordan reaffirms its support to the Barcelona Process, and  attaches great significance to the values and objectives of this process, which include working together for peace and stability, improving mutual understanding and tolerance, and creating shared economic prosperity.  Jordan also calls on the Euro-Med Partners to more effectively promote and support economic reforms in parallel with supporting regional integration that are indispensable for the attainment of the Barcelona Process objectives. Achieving sustainable higher rates of economic growth for Mediterranean Countries does not only require making progress on internal economic reforms, but also requires regional cooperation to overcome other important constraints such as the limited size of local markets, the present underdevelopment of intra-regional trade, and the regional infrastructure weak links especially in sectors of transport, energy, and telecommunications.

Moreover, Jordan highlights the importance of maintaining and strengthening dialogue among the Partners to develop common interests and shared perceptions for our region in the political, economic, social and cultural areas.

31.    EU Enlargement.  Jordan praises and welcomes the historical decision for the expansion of the EU, which was herald by the signature of the Accession Treaty in Athens on 16 April 2003.  Although it is difficult at this point of time to quantify the impact of the EU enlargement on Jordan, it is believed that it will pose new challenges and will offer new opportunities. The enlargement increases the size of the EU market to which the Med partners have free access and gives the New Member States preferential access to the Mediterranean market.  The EU Enlargement may also set in motion economic effects on investment flows, migration, competition and economic growth in general.

Jordan believes that the economic impact of the Enlargement on the Med countries should thus not only be considered in terms of direct trade, investment and other macro-economic effects, but also, and perhaps even more importantly, in terms of focusing attention on further economic policy reforms that constitute the driving force behind economic growth performance.

32.    In this context, Jordan welcomes the idea of having a new framework for relations between the Eastern and Southern Neighbours to work in partnership to develop a zone of prosperity and friendly Neighbourhood or what is called "a ring of friends ". Jordan reiterates its readiness to cooperate with the EU on the way to achieving more close and cooperative relations.

33.    Jordan highlights the importance of the Wider Europe concept in offering a broader perspective for the Euro-Med Partnership, bearing in mind that it undoubtedly constitutes a new quality in the EU's policy towards its neighbouring countries. Therefore, Jordan is keen on initiating the work of the bilateral Task Force to jointly develop and tailor the required Action Plan for translating the new “Neighbourhood Policy” into actions and measures that will bring Jordan closer to the EU through: (a) promoting political reform, human rights, democracy and rule of law; (b) supporting economic and legislative reforms, as well as enhancing trade through the gradual extension of the four freedoms (goods, services, persons, capitals); (c) strengthening cultural cooperation; and (d) addressing common challenges in justice and home affairs, transport, energy and health.

34.    On regional cooperation, Jordan perceives the Aghadir Initiative as a key vehicle for promoting South-South cooperation through strengthening and deepening economic integration, and fostering intra-trade among countries in the region. This initiative would work to increase the investment and export potentials, and would also generate new employment and business opportunities. Moreover, establishing the Free Trade Area between the MEDA countries will enable partners to apply the diagonal cumulation among themselves, thus helping local industries to meet the rules of origin.

The Aghadir Agreement was initially signed by the partners during the last meeting of the Trade Ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco, which took place in Amman on 10-11 January 2003. However, the entry into force of this Agreement is still awaiting final endorsement and signature by the four partner countries' Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

In this regard, Jordan highly appreciates the Commission's recent approval of the regional project “Support to the Implementation of the South-South Sub-regional Free Trade Area of Aghadir” with a total of Euro 4 million, to assist the countries concerned in the areas of customs and sectoral studies, and to achieve their common organizational structure, as well as to raise awareness on the benefits of the Free Trade Area. Moreover, Jordan emphasizes the importance of the EC's continuous support to this initiative to enable the four partners not only to overcome the challenges of implementing this Agreement and to expand export potential to the EU market, but also to enhance intra-regional trade, and improve the regional infrastructure weak links especially in sectors of transport, energy, and telecommunications. 

XIII.           Jordan's Economic Outlook

35.    On the economic front, Jordan's reform efforts began in the early 1990s when the country was faced with a substantive debt burden, and large market distortions. Therefore, reform efforts were primarily focused on attaining macroeconomic stability and rectifying fiscal imbalances throughout the decade of the 1990s.  By 1999, the stringent reform efforts were successful in sustaining an efficient macroeconomic management policy, which included the gradual reduction of high fiscal imbalances, and the implementation of a structural reform agenda.  

Despite the success at the macro level, social development remained lagging, as poverty and unemployment incidences remained high at 12% and 15% respectively, and per capita income witnessed very modest growth.  Furthermore, Jordan remained to be faced with a number of other critical challenges such as the high external debt and budget deficit, which comprised around 96% and 4% of GDP respectively in 1999; a chronic water deficit; an unproductive private sector; and ineffective government services.  Moreover, the economy remained highly susceptible to external factors.

36.    Reforms were reviewed in 1999 when His Majesty King Abdullah II ascended the throne, prompting an accelerated pace of reforms.  The underlying goal of the review was to accelerate the pace and the launch of new strategies and initiatives in order to effectively enhance the welfare and standards of living of all Jordanians, especially the poor in the rural and remote areas of the country.  One of the main initiatives was the launch of the Social and Economic Transformation Program (SETP) in 2002, which was devised according to a prioritisation model that took into account projects with the most significant impact on the standard of living of all Jordanians, subject to a budget constraint.  Moreover, the SETP is comprised of three main components:

(a)      Private Investments:  This component aims to identify the measures that ought to be taken to accelerate the implementation of major development projects and privatisation schemes.  The underlying goal is to enable the private sector to undertake a leading role in the development process.  In this regard, the Government of Jordan completed the action plan and time table for the implementation of each project to be undertaken by the private sector.

(b)      Critical Enablers (legislation, policies, and regulatory framework): The program identified the main legislations and policies that need reform, and put in place a clear work plan and timetable. To this end, a large number of laws and regulations were either amended or newly passed in order to enhance the investment climate and align the legislative environment with the requirements of the evolving global trends.

(c)      Public Investments: This component works to channel qualitative investment into Human Resource Development, Basic Government Services, Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation, and Institutional & Structural Reforms.  

37.    Since 2001, Jordan has managed to achieve some favourable results despite the political and economic instability in the world and the region in particular.  Data indicate that a 4.9% growth rate was achieved in 2002 in comparison with 4.2% in 2001 and 2000, 3.1% in 1999, and -10.7% in 1989.  The Government was able to sustain a low level of inflation of 1.8% in 2002 and 2001, compared with 0.7% in 2000, 0.6% in 1999, and about 25.6% in 1989.  Outstanding external debt was reduced to 73.5% of GDP during the first half of 2003 compared with 81.2% in 2002, 74.9% in 2001, and 157% in 1989.  The Central Bank of Jordan succeeded in building reserves by maintaining a sound monetary policy as official foreign reserves reached US$ 4.6 billion by end of July 2003, US$ 3.494 billion in 2002, US$ 2.578 billion in 2001 compared with US$ 132.9 in 1989.   Moreover, the value of exports grew from JD 612.2 million in 1990 to reach JD 1,538.1 million in 2002.  In addition, market capitalization at the Amman Stock Exchange reached JD 5 billion in 2002 and JD 4.5 billion in 2001, compared with JD 1.4 billion in 1989.

However, in spite of the encouraging macroeconomic results, social development remained lagging, as poverty and unemployment still remain at high levels of 11.6% and 15%, respectively.  Per capita income witnessed a modest growth, from US$ 1,704 in 2001 to US$ 1,744 in 2002.  Furthermore, the quality and efficiency of basic government services stayed below the desired levels, particularly in rural and remote areas.  In 2002, private investment has witnessed negligible growth due to the slow implementation of large development projects and privatisation schemes, which in turn, required sizable public investment mainly in infrastructure development in order to attract the desired levels of private capital.

38.    Through the SETP, the government was able to channel additional qualitative investment mainly into developing human resources, such as education, training and youth development; improving the equity, quality and efficiency of basic government services, including water, and health; developing the rural areas of the country through pro-poor and community development programs; and enhancing the institutional and structural framework in order to improve the legislative environment and the implementation decision-making capacity of several public sector institutions.

Although it is still early to assess the quantitative impact of the SETP on the national economy at present, it is safe to claim that channelling additional resources to implement direly needed projects and programs, particularly in 2003, will have a positive qualitative and quantitative effect on growth.  Moreover, failure to invest in the SETP projects would have left major developmental projects in various sectors, such as education, health, and infrastructure unfounded.  In short, the SETP provided a main vehicle to channel qualitative public investment according to prioritised developmental needs, helped fuel the legislative reforms of the last two years, and served as a catalyst to expedite the progress of many private-sector funded projects.

39.    It is with this background that the Government will embark on the next set of reforms over the coming three years, the National Social and Economic Plan (2004-2006), with the aim of achieving and sustaining GDP growth rate exceeding 6% per annum by the year 2006, and effecting a positive trickle-down effect on the growth of per capita income to no less than 3.5% by the same year. The Government will also work on reducing poverty and unemployment to levels below 8% and 11%, respectively by the end of 2006, through enhancing qualitative investment in rural development, introducing programs that aim at empowering and enabling citizens, especially youth and women, as well as encouraging more private investment.  It is envisaged that this will lead to the creation of 50,000 additional job opportunities every year.

Furthermore, focus will be made on providing quality government services that will effectively translate into higher standard of living for all citizens, especially for the poor in remote and rural areas.  The Government will therefore continue to channel additional investments to improve the implementation as well as to  monitor and evaluate the capacity of the related public institutions in order to enhance their delivery of services to the public. In addition to engaging the private sector on a wider-scale through accelerating implementation of large development projects in the areas of water, energy, and infrastructure.  

40.    During the next stage of reforms, the Government will also aim to complete the privatisation process, which in part will hand over to the private sector the management of some basic services in the water, electricity, transport and energy sectors.  This will effectively enhance the efficiency of service delivery to the public, and increase the level of private investment in the country in each Governorate.  Public investment in basic government services will continue to adhere to the prioritisation model in the areas of health services, water, and infrastructure development, including construction, energy, ICT, tourism, transport, etc.

The next set of reforms will also continue to pay particular attention to rural development and poverty alleviation through sustained long-term pro-poor economic growth mechanisms.  The ultimate goal will be to effect an immediate and visible improvement in the productivity of individuals and their communities through the implementation of sustainable enterprise development, and integrated community development projects in each Governorate.  

Moreover, reforms will aim at institutionalising policy formulation at the Cabinet level on all national programs, and instigating further autonomy and separating the implementation from policy making.  Specific focus will also be made on restructuring the budget in order to assure full flexibility in dealing with current and capital expenditures.  The Government will also continue working on setting clear criteria for the performance of the judicial system and administrative bodies, in addition to establishing an effective monitoring mechanism.  Liberalizing the media sector will also rank high on the agenda.  Accordingly, the Government will work on revising the legislative and policy framework governing this sector in order to allow the private sector to take the lead role in the development of media channels.

41.    In order to enhance global integration, the policy framework for industrial and trading activities will concentrate on eliminating market distortions and providing additional opportunities for local industries to tap into non-traditional global markets.  Sustainable development will also take into account providing a healthy environment in order to safeguard the physical well being of all citizens, in addition to sustaining natural resources.

42.    Human resource development will continue to rank high on Jordan's reform agenda.  Effecting a qualitative change in the educational and training systems in a timely manner will be imperative to enable the swift transformation into a knowledge economy, and to provide the direly needed employability skills that match the requirements and needs of today's evolving local and international labour market.  

43.    Moreover, public sector reform will also be critical in enhancing the delivery and quality of basic government services in all Governorates. Therefore, the Government will focus on decentralizing the management of service delivery, by empowering local governments to become self-sustaining, and actively engaged in the broader national objectives of poverty alleviation and unemployment reduction.

44.    Mainstreaming gender development is also another critical social objective in the development vision.  More focus will be made on enhancing the role of women in the development process. The government will ensure raising the participation of women in the labour force from the current level of 15% to around 18% by the end of 2006.

45.    The new set of reforms will work within a macroeconomic framework, and will establish a number of targets to be achieved by 2006 through the implementation of a number of policy measures.  The underlying objective will be to stimulate real growth to a sustainable level of no less than 6% by 2006, and in turn, produce a positive trickle-down effect on the standard of living of every Jordanian, particularly in poor and remote areas.  This trickle-down effect should translate into a real and sustainable per capita income growth of no less than 3.5% annually by 2006 and onward.  However, this should also be coupled with the current decelerating rate of population growth, which currently stands at 2.8% to effectively lift a sizeable segment of the population over the poverty line.  The main target is to reduce the poverty level to less than 8% by the year 2006.  Moreover, the government aims to generate 50,000 additional job opportunities in the local market, through a number of long-term pro-poor programs in the rural areas and introducing productivity enhancement measures to reduce the current unemployment rate from 15.3% to 11.3% by 2006.  In addition, enhancing economic and labour productivity will comprise a key factor in sustainable development.  The ultimate goal will be to achieve more equitable distribution of income and bridge the development gap between regions and Governorates throughout the Kingdom.

46.    On another front, the Government will continue to work on a number of fiscal and monetary tools to maintain macroeconomic stability that has been successfully achieved over the last decade.  In this regard, policies will continue to focus on rectifying market distortions and fiscal imbalances, maintaining price stability, and opening up the local market to the global economy.   Attaining fiscal stability will be achieved through a number of prudent measures to lower the budget deficit from 4.3% in 2002 to 3% by the end of 2006.  These measures include curbing current expenditures, and lowering public debt.  The targeted real GDP growth rate of 6% by 2006 will also assist in reducing the budget deficit/GDP ratio.  On the other hand, successful global integration will also necessitate enhancing the competitiveness of the export base.  In this respect, current efforts will focus on increasing the level of exports to comprise more than 46% of GDP by the end of 2006, increasing from 30% in 2002, as well as diversifying the export base to include more high-value added products and services, and facilitating the penetration of new non-traditional markets.

XIV.           EU-Jordan Partnership:

47.    Jordan perceives the Association Agreement as an appropriate framework for deepening political, economic, as well as social and cultural dialogue with the EU. Since the entry into force of the EU-Jordan Association Agreement on 1 May 2002, through which a free trade area will be established by the year 2014,  Jordan places more emphasis on strengthening and expanding the bilateral cooperation with the EU. Jordan also aspires to intensify economic cooperation with the EU in the various fields of industry, agriculture, science and technology, environment, and tourism.  

Therefore, Jordan welcomes the decision for establishing the working party for social affairs and eight sub-committees that will carry out the technical detailed work of the implementation of the Association Agreement. Jordan also calls on the immediate activation of a number of sub-committees to give new impulse to certain important aspects of the Association Agreement, particularly the sub-committee on Investment Promotion and Trade Development, the sub-committee for Transport, Energy and Telecommunications, as well as the sub-committee on Research and Innovation.

Moreover, Jordan is keen on initiating bilateral negotiations on establishing a Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement to enhance and strengthen cooperation between Jordan and the EU in the field of research and technological development.

48.    In relation to Trade, the EU continues to be the major trade partner for Jordan. In 2002, the trade deficit has reached Euro 1.2 billion in favour of the EU countries. Over the period 2000-2002, Jordan's annual imports from the EU have exceeded Euro 1.2 billion, with imports amounting to Euro 1.3 billion and exports amounting to less than Euro 60 million. On the other hand, over the last several years, EU investments in Jordan were below expectations. Statistics indicate that during the period 1996-2002, the total EU investments in Jordan amounted to Euro 247 million representing less than 13% of total foreign investments in Jordan. Moreover, the EU's share in total foreign investment flows into Jordan has declined from 54% in 1996 to less than 11% in 2002.

Accordingly, Jordan highlights the important need for the advancement of the cooperation embodied in the Association Agreement to enhance bilateral economic relations, as well as to address the issues related to the growing trade deficit and the declining flows of EU investments.

In this context, Jordan calls on the support of the EC and Member States to grant the products of Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZs) unimpeded access to the EU market. This would improve Jordan's export potential to the EU market, as well as would significantly contribute to deepening and strengthening South-South cooperation and regional economic integration, which is a key pillar of the Barcelona Process.

49.    With regards to agriculture, Jordan hopes that the entry into force of the Association Agreement will improve the volume of bilateral trade in agricultural products. Although positive trends were experienced during the course of 2002,  the trade balance continues to be modest and in favour of the EU. In 2002, Jordan's agriculture exports to the EU were below Euro 2.9 million, compared to Euro 2.4 million in 2001. Whereas, agricultural imports from the EU have reached Euro 117.6 million in 2002, compared to Euro 74.4 million in 2001. However, Jordan is committed to continue the dialogue on the progressive liberalization of reciprocal trade in agricultural products, but at the same time Jordan reaffirms that any future revisions of the agricultural protocol of the Association Agreement should be carried out after gaining sufficient experience of the implementation of the current arrangements.

50.    Concerning services, Jordan is committed to the progressive liberalization in services. This is clearly indicated by the substantial commitments that Jordan has made during the process of accession to the WTO, as well as during the current GATS negotiations. Jordan believes that the liberalization in the services sector will encourage the flow of foreign direct investment into the country. Given that Jordan is a service-orientated economy, foreign direct investment in the services sector will lead to the upgrade of services in the country. On the other hand, competition may arise between domestic suppliers of services and foreign suppliers which may reduce the competitiveness of domestic services.

51.    However, Jordan's commitment to trade liberalization is a sign towards the trend of export orientation that the government is advocating to overcome the limited Jordanian market size, and to lessen its dependence on traditional markets. This export-led policy include the drive for the full integration into the global economy and the need for the transfer of technology, and the streamlining of domestic regulatory standards with international standards. In addition, Jordan's major reform in the area of trade policy has provided incentives for export-oriented investments. Accession to the WTO, free trade agreements with the EU and the US, the creation of Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZs), and the establishment of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) are opening doors for multinational corporations, foreign investors and overseas trade partners to come and invest in Jordan.   

Moreover, Jordan has already taken serious steps to modernize its legislative and regulatory framework to comply with WTO requirements and to prepare for free trade with the EU and others. This has included the amendment and enactment of a wide range of laws and regulations such as Competition Law, Intellectual Property Rights Laws, Banking Law, Social Security Law, Customs Law, Insurance Law, Modern Securities Law, Investment Promotion Law, Privatisation law, Safeguard Law, Secured Financing and Leasing Law, Income Tax Law, Trust Law, and the Sales Tax Law.

52.    In regard to financial cooperation, the EU has always demonstrated a solid commitment towards assisting Jordan in achieving its social and economic objectives. The EU continuous support will be imperative for Jordan in order to sustain its growth momentum, and maintain its stature as a regional model.

With the economic and financial partnership, embedded in the Association Agreement, the EU emerges as a key player in assisting Jordan in meeting the challenges posed by economic reforms and liberalization. The major guiding principles and objectives for Jordan's bilateral cooperation with the EU will continue to include: (a) assisting Jordan in facing social, economic and institutional challenges, as well as supporting Jordan's transformation and modernization process; and (b) consolidating and enhancing the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership defined by the Barcelona Declaration of 1995 and further developed by the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Meetings.

Over the period 1996-2000, MEDA-I grant allocations to Jordan have reached Euro 269 million, which has funded: (a) two structural adjustment facilities of Euro 180 million; (b) an industrial modernization and private sector development support of Euro 72 million; and (c) water and tourism sectors support of Euro 17 million.  On the other hand, MEDA-II allocations for Jordan's National Indicative Programme (NIP) 2001-2004 amounted to Euro 162 million, of which, a Euro 20 million was committed in 2001 to finance the Support for Regulatory Reforms and Privatisation Program, and a total amount of Euro 142 million was allocated under NIP 2002-2004.

In this context, the Government of Jordan highly appreciates the quick response of the EU to contribute to Jordan's ongoing efforts in mitigating the impact of the war on Iraq, by taking a decision to frontload the remaining balance of the current NIP 2002-2004, through making available the Euro 35 million previously allocated to the Social Development Programme to an emergency budgetary support programme. In addition, a commitment was made to accelerate the disbursement of the remaining funds of the Structural Adjustment Facility (SAF III) of Euro 30 million.

Furthermore, Jordan has been by far the best performer among the Mediterranean countries in terms of the efficient and effective utilization of MEDA allocations. This is clearly reflected by scoring at the end of 2002 an accumulative MEDA disbursement rate of over 67%, compared to an average of 39% among other Mediterranean countries. Moreover, it is expected that by the end of 2003, the accumulated MEDA disbursement rate will increase to over 80%.

In the context of MEDA programming for 2005-2006, Jordan continues to count on the EU support to assist in pursuing its reform agenda, as well as addressing the critical economic constraints and social challenges such as poverty and unemployment.  Jordan's future development agenda will focus on sustaining the thrust of the socio-economic reform process in order to achieve sustainable development at both the micro and macro levels.  The definitive target will be to effect a tangible improvement in the standard of living of all Jordanians, and to attain a more equitable distribution of income between all regions and Governorates.  Fiscal and monetary policies will also work in tandem to sustain the macroeconomic stability that has been successfully achieved over the last decade, and the government will continue to work at the grassroots level to eradicate poverty and unemployment through productive measures.

53.    On the other hand, Jordan appreciates the financial support that has been made through the European Investment Bank (EIB). In this regard, it is worth noting the recent EIB loan to Jordan of Euro 40 million to support educational reform. This will significantly contribute to improving the learning environment for students, installing IT equipment in schools, as well as developing the institutional capacity for designing and monitoring new educational programmes.

Jordan also supports the establishment of the Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP), which aims at promoting private sector development and improving the economic and social investment climate in the Mediterranean countries. As far as Jordan is concerned, the main advantages of this facility include promoting economic development and social stability by supporting the expansion of the private sector, and the emergence of projects fostering regional integration. Jordan hopes that FEMIP would increase the opportunities of SMEs in gaining a bigger share out of the number of loans available for private sector development.