Meeting with Dr Jaffar Hassan, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation of Jordan
''Today I had a very constructive meeting with Dr Jaffar Hassan on a number of issues regarding relations between the EU and Jordan in the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). We discussed the constitutional amendments adopted by the Parliament which represent an important progress in the on-going political reform efforts of Jordan. I stressed that the implementation of the amendments is also essential to keep the momentum and credibility of the process: these reforms should lead to the consolidation of the institutions safeguarding democracy and the rule of law and the empowerment of the political parties.
We also discussed the new elections law and the political parties’ law that will be debated by the Parliament in October and which should ensure genuine political pluralism and respond to the legitimate aspirations of the citizens. I received from the Minister the new “Country Action Plan” which provides a comprehensive view of the key reforms already adopted in Jordan. I assures the Minister that we will study it and that the EU remains committed to support Jordan's own reform efforts in the political, economic and social sphere, as well as to provide targeted assistance. Within the framework of the new programme "Support for Partnership, Reform, and Inclusive Growth " (SPRING) we are focusing on challenges in a number of areas including human rights, good governance and democracy. Due to the strong reform effort Jordan is well positioned among frontrunners to benefit from SPRING.''