PURPOSE: to conclude a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Jordan, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and Jordan on the general principles for the participation of Jordan in Union programmes.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2014/163/EU on the conclusion of a Protocol 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, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the general principles for the participation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Union programmes.

BACKGROUND: the Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Jordan, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and Jordan on the general principles for the participation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Union programmes was signed on behalf of the Union on 19 December 2012.

It is now necessary to approve that Protocol on behalf of the European Union.

CONTENT: under this Decision, the Council concludes, on behalf of the Union, with Parliament’s consent, a Protocol establishing a Framework Agreement on the general principles of participation of Jordan to EU programmes.

Main provisions : the Protocol lays down the specific terms and conditions, in particular, financial contribution and reporting and evaluation procedures, regarding the participation of Jordan in each particular programme. They should be determined in a Memorandum of Understanding between the European Commission and the competent authorities of Jordan.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 18.11.2013. The date of entry into force of the Protocol will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the General Secretariat of the Council.

The European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Jordan, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and Jordan on the general principles for the participation of Jordan in Union programmes.

Whilst giving its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement, Parliament stressed the importance of continuing to promote close cooperation and dialogue with Jordan within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy and of furthering political and economic dialogue between the Union and Jordan. It recalled that, according to estimates by the Jordanian authorities, more than 500 000 refugees from Syria have sought refuge in Jordan and that the Syrian crisis is having a severe impact on Jordan’s economy and on Jordan’s budget on account of the financial resources required to provide humanitarian assistance to the refugees. It regretted, however, that the Jordanian border has been closed to Palestinian refugees from Syria since August 2012 .

It stressed, therefore, the importance of providing adequate financial, technical and humanitarian support to Jordan .

In parallel, Parliament greatly appreciated the commitment shown by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan in promoting a very wide-ranging process of reforms for the benefit of the country. It also supported the proactive and constructive role of Jordan, as a mediator, in the efforts aimed at finding lasting solutions to various conflicts in the Middle East.

The Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the report by Annemie NEYTS-UYTTEBROECK (ADLE, BE) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Jordan, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and Jordan on the general principles for the participation of Jordan in Union programmes.

Whilst recommending that the European Parliament give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement, Members stressed the importance of continuing to promote close cooperation and dialogue with Jordan within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy and of furthering political and economic dialogue between the Union and Jordan.

They recalled that, according to estimates by the Jordanian authorities, more than 500 000 refugees from Syria have sought refuge in Jordan and that the Syrian crisis is having a severe impact on Jordan’s economy and on Jordan’s budget on account of the financial resources required to provide humanitarian assistance to the refugees. They regretted, however, that the Jordanian border has been closed to Palestinian refugees from Syria since August 2012 .

They stressed, therefore, the importance of providing adequate financial, technical and humanitarian support to Jordan .

In parallel, Members greatly appreciated the commitment shown by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan in promoting a very wide-ranging process of reforms for the benefit of the country. They also supported the proactive and constructive role of Jordan, as a mediator, in the efforts aimed at finding lasting solutions to various conflicts in the Middle East.

PURPOSE: to conclude a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Jordan, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and Jordan on the general principles for the participation of Jordan in Union programmes.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Jordan, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the general principles for the participation of Jordan in Union programmes was signed on behalf of the Union.

This Protocol should now be approved on behalf of the European Union.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 217, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: under this Council proposal , it is proposed to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Jordan, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and Jordan on the general principles for the participation of Jordan in Union programmes.

For the main provisions of this draft Protocol, as well as the EU’s budgetary implication, please refer to the summary of the Commission’s initial legislative proposal dated 15/05/2012 .

PURPOSE: to conclude a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Jordan, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and Jordan on the general principles for the participation of Jordan in Union programmes.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Jordan, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the general principles for the participation of Jordan in Union programmes was signed on behalf of the Union.

This Protocol should now be approved on behalf of the European Union.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 217, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: under this Council proposal , it is proposed to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Jordan, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and Jordan on the general principles for the participation of Jordan in Union programmes.

For the main provisions of this draft Protocol, as well as the EU’s budgetary implication, please refer to the summary of the Commission’s initial legislative proposal dated 15/05/2012 .

PURPOSE: to conclude a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Jordan, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and Jordan on the general principles for the participation of Jordan in Union programmes.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was undertaken.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 217, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) TFEU.

BACKGROUND: as part of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the gradual opening-up of certain Union programmes and agencies to the participation of ENP partner countries represents one of many measures to promote reform, modernisation and transition in the European Union's neighbourhood. The Commission outlined this policy aspect more extensively in its Communication "on the general approach to enable European Neighbourhood Policy partner countries to participate in Community agencies and Community programmes". The Council endorsed this approach on 5 March 2007.

Based upon this Communication and those conclusions, the Council, on 18 June 2007, issued directives to the Commission to negotiate Framework Agreements with Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Tunisia and Ukraine, on the general principles for their participation in Community Programmes.

In March 2011, Jordan expressed its interest to participate in the broad range of programmes open to partner countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The text of the Protocol negotiated with Jordan is attached.

CONTENT: the Commission submits a proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Protocol containing a Framework Agreement on the general principles for the participation of Jordan in Union programmes. It contains standard stipulations that are intended to be applied to all European Neighbourhood Policy partner countries with which such protocols are to be concluded.

The specific terms and conditions regarding the participation of Jordan in each particular programme, in particular the financial contribution payable and reporting and evaluation procedures, will be determined in a Memorandum of Understanding between the Commission and the competent authorities of Jordan on the basis of the criteria established by the programmes concerned.

The text also provides that pending its entry into force, the Parties agree to provisionally apply the Protocol from the date of its signature, pending its conclusion at a later date.

In accordance with 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the European Parliament shall be requested to give its consent to the conclusion of the Protocol.

In parallel, the Commission submits a proposal for a Council Decision on the signature and provisional application of the said Protocol.

The text of the Protocol is attached to the draft Decision.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal has no implications for the EU budget. Jordan shall contribute financially to the general budget of the European Union corresponding to the specific programmes in which Jordan participates. Jordan may apply for external assistance of the Union to participate in a given Union programme on the basis of the Regulation establishing a European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument or pursuant to any similar Regulation providing for external assistance of the Union to Jordan.

PURPOSE: to conclude a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Jordan, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and Jordan on the general principles for the participation of Jordan in Union programmes.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was undertaken.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 217, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) TFEU.

BACKGROUND: as part of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the gradual opening-up of certain Union programmes and agencies to the participation of ENP partner countries represents one of many measures to promote reform, modernisation and transition in the European Union's neighbourhood. The Commission outlined this policy aspect more extensively in its Communication "on the general approach to enable European Neighbourhood Policy partner countries to participate in Community agencies and Community programmes". The Council endorsed this approach on 5 March 2007.

Based upon this Communication and those conclusions, the Council, on 18 June 2007, issued directives to the Commission to negotiate Framework Agreements with Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Tunisia and Ukraine, on the general principles for their participation in Community Programmes.

In March 2011, Jordan expressed its interest to participate in the broad range of programmes open to partner countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The text of the Protocol negotiated with Jordan is attached.

CONTENT: the Commission submits a proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Protocol containing a Framework Agreement on the general principles for the participation of Jordan in Union programmes. It contains standard stipulations that are intended to be applied to all European Neighbourhood Policy partner countries with which such protocols are to be concluded.

The specific terms and conditions regarding the participation of Jordan in each particular programme, in particular the financial contribution payable and reporting and evaluation procedures, will be determined in a Memorandum of Understanding between the Commission and the competent authorities of Jordan on the basis of the criteria established by the programmes concerned.

The text also provides that pending its entry into force, the Parties agree to provisionally apply the Protocol from the date of its signature, pending its conclusion at a later date.

In accordance with 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the European Parliament shall be requested to give its consent to the conclusion of the Protocol.

In parallel, the Commission submits a proposal for a Council Decision on the signature and provisional application of the said Protocol.

The text of the Protocol is attached to the draft Decision.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal has no implications for the EU budget. Jordan shall contribute financially to the general budget of the European Union corresponding to the specific programmes in which Jordan participates. Jordan may apply for external assistance of the Union to participate in a given Union programme on the basis of the Regulation establishing a European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument or pursuant to any similar Regulation providing for external assistance of the Union to Jordan.