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European Parliament2014-2019

Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries

22.5.2017

MISSION REPORTFollowing the DMAS mission to Jordan from 22-24 May 2017

Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries

Members of the mission:Marisa Matias (GUE/NGL) (Chair of the Delegation)Gilles Pargneaux (S&D) (Vice-Chair of the Delegation)Francesc Gambus (PPE)Javier Nart (ALDE)Miguel Viegas (GUE/NGL)

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1. Introduction

Five members of the Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries (DMAS), led by its ChairMarisa Matias, conducted a mission to Jordan from 22 to 24 May 2017. The mission took place inthe framework of the 8th interparliamentary meeting of the European Parliament and the JordanianParliament (Lower House and Senate). The overall purpose of the visit was to strengthen bilateralrelations between the two parliamentary bodies and to focus on Jordan’s most urgent needs for EUfunding, with a particular focus on responding to the refugee crises as part of bilateral cooperationunder the renewed European Neighbourhood Policy. Members also availed themselves of theopportunity to examine refugee camps for Syrians and Palestinians operated by the United NationsHigh Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency forPalestine Refugees (UNRWA), both heavily affected by the Syrian crisis.

Throughout the three days of work, the DMAS delegation took part in:

a. Two briefing sessions with the EU delegation to Jordan (staff based in Amman);b. An audience with King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein;c. Six official meetings with ministers and parliamentarians;d. Four field visits, including private exchanges with refugees and on-site briefings with

UNRWA, UNHCR, UNICEF, NGOs and CSOs etc.;e. A visit to the EU-funded LUMINUS project;f. A visit to the UN Umm el-Jimal project;g. Receptions with Member States’ Heads of Mission and Heads of UN agencies, hosted

by the EU Ambassador to Jordan;h. One press conference and two press statements issued.

Prior to the mission, the EU, the governments of Germany, Kuwait, Norway, Qatar and the UnitedKingdom and the UN co-chaired the Brussels Conference on ‘Supporting the future of Syria andthe region’ that took place on 5 April 2017. The aim was to bring together ministerialrepresentatives from 70 delegations, including from the EU, the international community, the UN,civil society and humanitarian organisations to reconfirm the international community’scommitment to continue to deliver humanitarian and financial assistance to Syrians in need, aswell as to their host communities.

Ahead of the mission, a briefing meeting was organised on 17 May 2017 in Strasbourg withparticular emphasis on the political and socio-economic situation in Jordan.

During their official meetings, Jordanian ministers and parliamentarians called for:

a) further financial support from the EU and the international community to addressJordan’s severely disrupted economy

b) further relaxation of the rules of origin in order to make it easier for Jordanian exportersto access the EU market and to improve Jordan’s trade balance

c) the EU and the international community to help find a sustainable political solution tothe Syrian crisis

d) the EU to play a stronger role in reviving the Middle East Peace Process and inpromoting a two-state solution as the only solution for putting an end to the Israel-Palestine conflict

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e) the EU and the international community to stand together to develop a holistic approachto counter radicalisation, extremism and terrorism.

During almost all of the official meetings, Jordanian interlocutors underlined that regionalunrest and instability in neighbouring countries (in particular Syria and Iraq, Jordan’s majortrading partners before the crises) had adversely affected the Jordanian economy. The arrivalof 460 000 Syrian refugees since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011 had placed asignificant strain on the country’s fiscal position and resources1. A decline in exports coupledwith a dramatic decrease in volumes of tourism, trade and foreign direct investment had allaffected Jordan’s public finances negatively. In order to mitigate the risk of social unrest, theJordanian Government increased public spending, which in turn aggravated the country’s fiscaldeficit.

In relation to the Syrian conflict, Jordanian ministers stressed that only a Syrian-led politicaltransition process in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and the Genevacommuniqué could put an end to the conflict.

Moreover, Jordanian parliamentarians expressed serious concerns about increased hostility onthe part of the Gulf States towards Iran that had triggered growing sectarian rivalry in an alreadyturbulent and fragile region.

On the issue of the unresolved Israeli-Palestine conflict and the illegitimate occupation of theWest Bank and the Gaza Strip, it was perceived by all Jordanian interlocutors as the ‘mother ofall conflicts’ in the Middle East, which kept tensions simmering. Jordanian ministers called forthe EU to play a stronger role in mediating between the parties involved in the conflict, takinginto account the fact that negotiations on a peace agreement have stalled and requests for atwo-state solution no longer reflect the reality on the ground.

The DMAS mission was therefore very timely in terms of enabling Members to carry out theirown assessment of the situation on the ground both for the refugees and the host communities.

1 According to UNHCR, 660 000 UNHCR-registered Syrian refugees are currently residing in Jordan (as of 1 June2017). According to a national census from November 2015, it is estimated that there were more than 1.2 millionSyrians in Jordan (refugees and Syrians who were already resident in Jordan before the outbreak of the crises). This isin addition to 2.2 million UNRWA-registered Palestinian refugees, 62 000 UNHCR-registered Iraqi refugees, 16 000Palestinian refugees from Syria and 5 000 refugees from Somalia and Sudan.

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2. Audience with King Abdullah II bin Hussein

The meeting with King Abdullah II bin Hussein took place in camera. The exchange of viewsfocused mainly on migration and the refugee crises as well as on security issues, e.g. the urgentneed to develop a holistic approach to combat terrorism and radical Islamist influence in theMiddle East in order to resolve the problem before it develops into a military issue on Jordan’sdoorstep.

On the issue of Syria, the discussion focused on Jordan’s contribution to resolving the conflict:while Jordan had been present in both, the Geneva and Astana processes, it was clear for thecountry that the political process was taking place in Geneva, although the efforts towardsde-escalation of the conflict pursued in Astana could help reinforce the political process.

With a view to the Middle East Peace Process, all interlocutors agreed on the importance of theimplementation of the two state solution as the only way to put an end to the Israeli-Palestineconflict.

3. Political relations

For a long time the EU has enjoyed excellent relations with Jordan and its stability is ahigh priority for the EU. The EU considers Jordan an important strategic partner that exercisesa stabilising role in the Middle East. It is therefore seeking to strengthen its relations with Jordanto reflect the country’s increasingly important strategic role in the face of worsening crises in aregion in turmoil. In relation to the Syrian conflict, Jordan participated in the Astanaconferences and the UN-led Intra-Syrian Peace Talks in Geneva (the only Middle Eastcountry that was invited to both convocations). It also plays a key role in mediating betweenIsrael and Palestine. It has signed a peace treaty with Israel and it is key to any future

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agreement between Israel and Palestine. Furthermore, Jordan substantially contributes to theUS-led coalition in countering Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

Despite its location in a turbulent region, Jordan remains a haven of stability. Jordanianparliamentarians pointed out that any change in this situation, particularly if it were to threatenthe monarchy, would further destabilise a region in the throes of an existential crisis, potentiallytriggering new refugee movements to Europe.

a) European Neighbourhood Policy and the Association Agreement

The EU has a long history of political and financial cooperation with Jordan. The EU and Jordansigned an Association Agreement in 2002, which forms the legal basis for EU-Jordanrelations, providing a framework for political dialogue and cooperation as well as for thegradual establishment of a free trade area. This agreement has been embedded in the frameworkof the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) since 2003, the policy by which the EU seeksto achieve the closest possible political association and the greatest degree of economicintegration with its southern neighbours. In October 2010, Jordan and the EU reached anagreement on an EU-Jordan European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan. It outlined a setof new objectives that supports Jordan’s National Agenda and that focuses more on politicaldialogue, reform, trade and social issues.

The revised European Neighbourhood Policy was adopted in November 2015. The revisedpolicy aims at fostering stabilisation, security and prosperity in order to build a moreeffective partnership between the EU and Jordan in political, socio-economic and securityterms1. Strengthening the state and societal resilience of its partners is a key priority for the EU,in the face of the threats and pressures they are experiencing, including the challengesassociated with migration and mobility. In December 2016, the EU and Jordan adopted theiragreed partnership priorities2. The latter set up a renewed framework for political engagementand enhanced cooperation. Both the EU and Jordan agreed on a set of partnership priorities thatwill govern relations under the European Neighbourhood Policy until 2018 with a focus onthree priority areas:

Strengthening cooperation on regional stability and security, including counterterrorism Promoting economic stability, sustainable and knowledge-based growth, quality

education and job creation Strengthening democratic governance, the rule of law and human rights

b) Euro-Mediterranean Partnership

Jordan is also a partner in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (Euromed), one of the keyinitiatives of the European Neighbourhood Policy, through which the EU offers its neighboursa privileged relationship, building upon a mutual commitment to common values (includingdemocracy and human rights, the rule of law, good governance, market economy principles andsustainable development). The EU’s ultimate objective with the Association Agreement is to

1 The revised European Neighbourhood Policy is in line with the Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign andSecurity Policy.2 The EU and Jordan adopted their agreed partnership priorities as well as a compact on 20 December 2016.

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foster the establishment of bilateral free trade with Jordan – a first step towards creating a widerregional Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area.

Members engaged in an intensive exchange of views with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, MrAyman Safadi, on the proximity of the Syrian conflict and the rise of radical jihadist groups,which have had political and security consequences in Jordan. According to Mr Safadi, Jordanwas one of the first Arab countries to distance itself from the Assad Regime, and participatesin the US-led coalition countering IS in Syria and Iraq and has tripled its investment in securityforces (in particular deployed at its borders with Syria). In addition, Jordan has stepped up itsproactive measures against dormant terror cells within its territory. Mr Safadi reiterated theneed for both the EU and Jordan to develop a holistic approach to fight terrorist groups whereverthey occur geographically. In order to prevent radicalisation and the recruitment of terrorists,the Minister pointed out that combating widespread poverty and access to education were thekeys.

Members reiterated that the EU’s cooperation with Jordan in the field of security was at the topof the agenda within the partnership priorities, with a specific focus on counterterrorism. Theyreaffirmed their willingness to follow up on this issue in Parliament. In line with the globalstrategy of the EU’s foreign and security policy, Members stressed that the EU had alreadyconsiderably stepped up its counterterrorism engagement with countries in the Middle East,including upgrading security and counterterrorism dialogues. Minister Safadi and Membersagreed that the fight against violent extremism, radicalisation and inter-/intra-religiousintolerance are priority issues for both Jordan and the EU, reflected in an enhancedsecurity/counterterrorism roadmap1.

As regards the Syrian conflict, Minister Safadi underlined that Jordan has traditionally enjoyedgood neighbourly relations with Syria, with which it shares tribal relations. However, shortlyafter the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in November 2011, the King already called on PresidentAssad to step down. According to Minister Safadi, Jordan has cut all diplomatic ties withthe Syrian regime. Members and Minister Safadi agreed that the Syrian conflict cannot beresolved by a military solution, but only by a political transition in line with UN resolution2254, which must be acceptable for the Syrian people. According to Minister Safadi,Jordan’s political stance towards the Syrian regime is clear: President Bashar al-Assad cannotbe part of a solution to the Syrian conflict. However, he pointed out that Russia’s militaryintervention in Syria is a reality and that it will play a crucial role in determining when and howpeace will be implemented in Syria.

During his meeting with Members, Mr Musa Maaytah, Minister of Political Developmentand Parliamentary Affairs, praised the excellent relations between the EU and Jordan. Heunderlined that Jordan substantially benefits from the European Neighbourhood Policy, inparticular in the priority areas of economic development, trade, security, energy, theempowerment of young people and women as well as combating poverty and unemployment,areas, which Jordan and the EU have agreed to focus on. He underlined that bilateral relationsbecame even stronger after the outbreak of the Syrian crisis.

1 The roadmap sets out enhanced cooperation in three specific areas. The volume of counterterrorism and security-related bilateral programmes with Jordan currently stands at EUR 35 million.

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Mr Safadi, as well as Mr Khamis Atieh, First Deputy Speaker of the Lower House ofParliament, and Mr Raed Khazaleh, Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the LowerHouse, raised in particular the unresolved Israeli-Palestine conflict and pointed out thatthere is no alternative solution to the conflict but an independent state for Palestinians.Jordan has traditionally enjoyed a close relationship with its neighbours, Israel and Palestine.The long-term stalling of the negotiations on the peace process is an issue of major concern forthe Jordanian Government. Jordanian interlocutors explicitly called for the EU to play astronger role in promoting a two-state solution as the only way to attain sustainable peaceand stability in the region. Minister Safadi notably expressed his firm view that injusticesagainst the Palestinian people are the root cause of the conflicts in the region. Membersunderlined that the Israel-Palestine conflict is a key priority of the EU’s foreign policy.However, Members expressed their serious concerns that the prospects of a two-state solutionare fading, taking into account the 10 years of the blockade of the Gaza Strip and the ongoingillegitimate settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. In spite of these constraints,Members reaffirmed their willingness to follow up on the issue in Parliament.

4. Financial cooperation with Jordan

The instability in Jordan’s neighbouring countries, notably Syria and Iraq, which led to a hugeinflux of Syrian refugees in addition to an unfavourable international environment, has hadserious consequences for Jordan’s economy. A decline in exports (Syria and Iraq were Jordan’smajor trading partners), a decrease in income from tourism, which dropped by 7 %, a dramaticshrinkage in foreign direct investments and disruptions to the natural gas supply from Egypthave all influenced the country’s fiscal position negatively. Jordan’s gross debt has now reached93.4 % of GDP. In the first quarter of 2016, the overall unemployment rate reached 14.6 % witha marked impact on women (23.7 %) and young people (33 %).

For the period from 2014 to 2020, the financial allocation under the European NeighbourhoodInstrument (ENI) will vary between EUR 587 million and EUR 693 million depending on theprogress made on democratic and socio-economic reforms by Jordan. The period was dividedinto two phases, with the first period covering 2014-17 with financial assistance up to amaximum of EUR 382 million. Support during the first period will focus on three main areas:reinforcing the rule of law for enhanced accountability and equity in public service delivery;employment and private sector development, and renewable energies and energy efficiency.The EU is also supporting Jordan in handling, in particular, the impact of the Syrian crisis.Thus far, it has provided more than EUR 320 million since 2011 in humanitarian, crisisresponse and development support to help achieve this aim.

In 2013, Parliament and the Council adopted an initial proposal for macro-financialassistance totalling EUR 180 million (MFA-I), which was disbursed in 2015.

A first International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme amounting to USD 2 billion wasagreed between Jordan and the IMF in 2012. In August 2016, the IMF approved a secondprogramme of USD 723 million. The arrangement aims at advancing fiscal consolidation tolower public debt and encourage broad structural reforms.

In spite of the two IMF programmes and the first macro-financial assistance package from theEU, Jordan’s economic situation deteriorated further. As a result, the country requested asecond macro-financial assistance package from the EU in March 2016 (MFA-II) to the

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amount of EUR 200 million, which was approved on 14 December 2016 by the Council andParliament1. Although not providing direct aid to refugees, the Jordanian Minister ofPlanning and International Cooperation, Dr Imad Fakhoury, nevertheless underlined thatsuch financing was indispensable in the overall context of Jordan’s response to the Syrian crisis.On 14 December 2016, the EU and Jordan adopted the EU-Jordan compact. It foresees anEU commitment of at least EUR 747 million for 2016-17. The overall objective of the compactis to improve living conditions, both for the Syrian refugees in Jordan and vulnerable hostcommunities. Part of the compact aims at allowing Syrian refugees to integrate into theJordanian labour market, in exchange for enhanced international support for Jordan’s economy.It sets out a vision for mutual commitments on Jordan and the international community and itforesees the granting of work permits for Syrian refugees2. In spite of these optimistic plans,the results of the governmental efforts to roll out work permits are – according to MinisterFakhoury – quite disappointing: only 32 000 work permits have been issued to Syrian refugeesso far (50 000 were originally planned). Minister Fakhoury was sceptical about the feasibilityof the overall goal of integrating 200 000 Syrian refugees into the formal Jordanian labourmarket, given that the black labour market is more attractive for the refugees and many of themare afraid of losing their social benefits as soon as they are allowed to access the formal labourmarket.

Another component of the EU-Jordan compact is related to allowing Syrian refugee childrenaccess to education. As Members frequently heard, their Jordanian interlocutors articulatedserious concerns about losing a whole generation of Syrian children. All of the Jordanianinterlocutors underlined during their meetings with Members that education for Syrian refugeechildren deserved special mention. The war in Syria had disrupted the education of a wholegeneration of children. It was therefore vital that refugee children in Jordan had access toschools. According to Minister Fakhoury, a lost generation of Syrian children would not onlycreate social tensions in Jordan, but they would also be prevented from playing a role in apost-conflict Syria. In order to tackle this important issue, Jordan committed to facilitatingaccess to education for 165 000 Syrian refugee children and to increasing opportunitiesfor young people from Syria to receive vocational training.

A third key objective of the EU-Jordan compact is the easing of the rules of origin forJordanian products3. In July 2016, the EU and Jordan already agreed to simplify the rules oforigin requirements for Jordanian products in order to make it easier for Jordan to export to theEU and to encourage investment4.

To mitigate the impact of the influx of refugees, Jordan has also benefited from furthersignificant additional EU allocations in order to help the country to deal with the burdenimposed by the Syrian conflict. Thus far, the Commission has allocated more than EUR 950million in assistance to refugees and vulnerable communities in Jordan since the beginning ofthe Syrian crisis and the Commission’s humanitarian aid has helped more than 350 000 Syrianrefugees in Jordan. With 83 % of the refugees living in urban settings, the Commission supports

1 At the Supporting Syria and the Region conference held in London in February 2016, the EU pledged EUR 2.39 billionto help countries impacted by the Syrian crisis. The Macro-Financial Assistance II funding is included in this aid package.2 Work permits would make it possible for refugees to have a legal income without breaking the law.3 Rules of origin are the technical criteria which determine whether a specific product qualifies for duty-free or otherpreferential access under a given trade agreement.4 For further details, see Chapter 5.

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the most vulnerable refugees through cash assistance, as this is considered the most cost-efficient and dignified approach1. This support package includes:

a) humanitarian aid (EUR 261 million)b) macro-financial assistance (EUR 380 million)c) European Neighbourhood Instrument (EUR 170 million)d) Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (EUR 33 million)e) EU Regional Trust Fund (Madad) (EUR 141 million)

Members were informed that the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, led byMinister Fakhoury, centralises the channelling of external aid and coordinates with the otherMinistries in this respect. This ensures a high level of professionalisation and efficiency in theJordan-EU partnership.

5. Trade

Jordan is a resource-poor country with limited arable areas. The economy is driven byfinancial services, tourism, transport, manufacturing and remittances from Jordaniansworking abroad. Conflicts in Syria and Iraq and the presence of a high number of refugeeshave affected economic growth in Jordan negatively. It declined to less than 2 % in 2016.Prolonged border closures with Syria and Iraq (since 2014), in addition to a sharp fall in foreigninvestment and a drop in tourism, further aggravated the dire state of Jordan’s economy.Unemployment currently stands at almost 15 %, with joblessness among Jordanian youthapproaching 40 %. The public sector is the largest employer in the kingdom, which constitutesa particularly heavy burden on public finances and also exacerbates the fiscal situation. It isestimated that general government gross debt will climb to 94 % in 2017. Although Jordan hasmade substantial progress in terms of fiscal consolidation by implementing adjustmentmeasures taken in the context of the IMF programme, the overall fiscal balance declined further.Jordan’s primary commercial partner in terms of total trade volume is the EU2. However, EUexports to Jordan (EUR 3.99 billion) still far outweigh Jordanian imports to the EU (EUR384 million). As outlined by Minister Fakhoury, the Jordanian Government is committed toimproving the business and investment environment and is taking forward a detailed plan withmeasures, changes to regulations, structural reforms and incentives which could be offered inorder to boost domestic and international businesses – all intended to redress trade balance. Inthis context, Minister Fakhoury regretted that the EU-Jordan Association Agreement hadlargely benefited the EU, hardly bringing any benefits to Jordan.

In an effort to improve Jordan’s trade balance and, in particular, to enhance Jordan’s exportpotential, the EU and Jordan agreed in July 2016 to simplify the rules of origin that Jordanianexporters use in their trade with the EU.

1 During their visit to Zaatari, UNHCR informed Members that credit cards had already been distributed to the refugees(with a limit of USD 100 per person per month) which enabled the refugees to purchase basic goods.2 According to DG Trade, trade in goods between the EU and Jordan amounted to EUR 4.4 billion in 2015, making theEU Jordan’s most important trading partner. However, Jordan’s exports to the EU market – EUR 383 million in 2015 –represent only 0.02 % of total EU imports.

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This initiative forms part of broader EU support for Jordan in the context of the present Syrianrefugee crisis and is intended to make it easier for Jordan to export to the EU, to encourageinvestment and to create jobs both for Jordanians and for Syrian refugees.

The agreed relaxations in the rules of origin cover a wide range of manufactured products andinclude both items that Jordan currently exports in small volumes to the EU and others in whichthere is currently no trade1.

In spite of these measures, Minister Fakhoury insisted on more simplified rules of origin toattract new investments and to open up the EU market (thus creating jobs for both Jordaniansand Syrian refugees). Minister Fakhoury regretted that the EU-Jordan Association Agreementhad largely benefited the EU (citing an increase of USD 4.5 billion for EU exports to Jordan),but had hardly brought any benefits to Jordan (USD 300 million for Jordanian exports to theEU). Members reaffirmed that they would follow up on this issue in Parliament and pushforward a new initiative aiming at facilitating the rules of origin in order to redress the EU-Jordan trade balance.

6. Security situation

The proximity of the Syrian conflict and the rise of radical jihadist groups have had politicaland security consequences in Jordan. Jordan, which was one of the first Arab countries todistance itself from the Assad regime, has so far experienced very few terrorist attacks on itsown soil, but at the cost of major investments in the security forces (especially at the frontiers)and in proactive steps against dormant terror cells within the territory2 .

Jordan participates in the US-led coalition against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq byallowing the use of its airbases to launch air strikes, acting as a weapons shipment hub, trainingUS-backed opposition fighters, hosting troops and by intelligence sharing. According toForeign Minister Safadi, there are growing fears that Islamic State may have infiltrated groupsof Syrian refugees seeking entry into Jordan. In response, Jordan completely sealed off itsnorthern and eastern borders, following a suicide bombing on 21 June 2016 that killed severalJordanian border guards3.

In spite of these measures and investments, a significant number of Jordanians have joinedSunni militant groups fighting in Syria and Iraq. Official estimates mention 3 900 Jordanianfighters joining IS in Syria and Iraq between 2011 and 2016. Jordan is believed to be thethird-largest contributor of foreign fighters to IS (after Tunisia and Saudi Arabia). Thesefighters, who acquire combat experience, pose a high risk to the internal security of the countryupon their return.

There are also concrete fears that future terror attacks might deliberately target the Christianminority in Jordan, with the aim of sparking off sectarian conflict. Jordanian interlocutorshave also expressed concrete concerns that IS’s violent strain of Salafism appears to haveinfiltrated Jordan’s tribes, the backbone of the monarchy.

1 Jordan’s exports are concentrated in a limited number of sectors, such as clothing, phosphates and phosphate-basedfertilisers, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment.2 According to Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, the investment in the upgrading of the security sector trebled.3 The Jordanian borders with Syria and Iraq have been de facto closed to refugees since 2014.

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Perceptions of insecurity owing to terrorist attacks are particularly damaging to Jordan’s effortsto expand its tourism sector. According to Minister Fakhoury, the number of visitors coming toJordan has fallen every year since 2010, the last full year before the beginning of the civil warin Syria.

During meetings with Minister Fakhoury and Minister Safadi, Members underlined that theEU’s cooperation with Jordan in the field of security is a key objective under thepartnership priorities, with a specific focus on counterterrorism, and confirmed that theywould follow up on this issue in Parliament. In line with the global strategy for the EU’s Foreignand Security Policy, Members stressed that the EU has already stepped up its counterterrorismengagement with countries in the Middle East considerably. Both Ministers and Membersagreed that the fight against terrorism, violent extremism, radicalisation and inter-/intra-religious intolerance are priority issues for both Jordan and the EU as reflected by theenhanced security/counterterrorism roadmap. The level of funding for counterterrorism andsecurity-related bilateral programmes with Jordan currently stands at EUR 35 million. In spiteof these efforts, Members expressed their deep concern that a number of additional challengesmight occur over the next few years affecting Jordan’s resilience, with a combination ofdomestic and regional factors presenting increased risks in terms of its stability anddevelopment.

7. Situation of refugees in Jordan

Jordan hosts an estimated 1.3 million Syrians, of whom 660 000 are UNHCR-registeredrefugees, a number equal to 10 % of the country’s total population of around 6.6 millionJordanians, in addition to 2 million UNRWA-registered Palestinian refugees (the vast majorityof whom are in possession of Jordanian citizenship). An estimated two out of three Syrianrefugees live below the poverty line. 93 % of all Syrian refugees do not live in camps, butamong Jordan’s communities. Approximately 51 % of all Syrian refugees residing in Jordanare children, 18 % of whom are under the age of five. The presence of such a high number ofrefugees has placed a strain on Jordan’s resources, public services, security and infrastructure,including access to water, food, education, health care, sanitation and housing. Havingexhausted their savings, refugees have grown increasingly vulnerable, struggling to affordessentials such as food, rent and healthcare.

Jordan has long called on its Western allies to help set up buffer zones, to provide safeareas on the Syrian side of the border where international refugee camps could potentiallybe set up and humanitarian aid provided, to ease the pressure on Jordan’s population. In themeantime, the Jordanian Government has put forward the creation of a buffer zone as Jordan’sonly alternative, should the international community fail to adequately share the burden ofhosting Syrian refugees. A de-facto ‘buffer’ zone has in the meantime emerged in thedisputed no-man’s land between Syria and Jordan, called the ‘berm’. Following the closureof the Jordanian border to Syrian refugees in 2015, a growing number of refugees, estimated tohave reached more than 60 000, set up this camp in the middle of the desert along the Syrianand Jordanian border, hundreds of miles from the nearest city in an area with no access to water,food or medical care. The area is currently a closed military zone. According to the JordanianGovernment, the camp has been infiltrated by ISIS and aid workers are not allowed to go there.With only limited food supplies getting through, some children are in danger of starving. This

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camp has become one of the biggest and most desperate refugee settlements in the region.Amnesty International highlighted the refugees’ plight in a report, describing the situation atthe berm as ‘a grim snapshot of the consequences of the world’s abject failure to shareresponsibility for the global refugee crisis’. In the face of international criticism, Jordan hasdefended its decision not to allow the refugees stranded at the berm into the country and hasinvited other countries to offer them resettlement opportunities.

Apart from their dire living conditions, Syrian refugees in Jordan suffer from the absence of aclear legal status. Jordan did not sign the 1951 Geneva Convention related to the status ofrefugees. A memorandum of understanding between the Jordanian Government and theUNHCR, signed in 1998 and amended in April 2014, defines what is meant by ‘refugee’ andconfirms adherence to the principle of non-refoulement and third country resettlement. It allowsa maximum (renewable) stay of one year. In Jordan, the UNHCR administers three mainrefugee camps, the biggest one being Zaatari, situated 10 km from the Syrian border (80 000people).

Access to work for Syrian refugees is generally heavily restricted in Jordan. Theunemployment rates among refugees are far higher than for Jordanians owing to certainrestrictions, e.g. the need for the presentation of a passport and proof of legal entry into thecountry, which many Syrians lack. These restrictions, which combine to give rise to theaforementioned legal vulnerability, lead most Syrians to work in the black market, mainlyin the agriculture and construction sectors – jobs that the majority of Jordanians would notaccept. In order to facilitate access to the formal labour market for Syrian refugees, theJordanian Government has taken measures aimed at granting work permits for Syrian refugees.However, as already alluded to, the results of the government’s efforts to issue work permitshave been disappointing: only 35 000 out of 50 000 permits were distributed in 2016.According to Minister Fakhoury, the government’s aim is to grant 200 000 work permitsfor Syrians in 2017 (following the government’s commitment in the EU-Jordan compact).However, Minister Fakhoury pointed out that the regularisation of work is notparticularly attractive to Syrian refugees, as they fear becoming less competitive thanother Syrians, losing benefits from UN agencies as well as the chance to go to a thirdcountry1.

Through the Regional Refugees and Resilience Plan 2016-17, the Jordanian Government andthe international community seek to address the needs of the most vulnerable Syrian refugeesthrough humanitarian and ‘resilience-based’ interventions. The emphasis is on predictable,long-term funding and programming2.

a.) Visit to the Zaatari refugee camp

1 In this context, Jordanian ministers stressed that the strain of the ongoing refugee crisis on host communities hasalready led to public discontent and growing frustration. The influx of large numbers of people exacerbates certainchallenges, which Jordan has faced for many years, in particular increased competition for jobs. To address thesechallenges, Jordan will continue to depend on external assistance. In this context, creating job opportunities for Syrianrefugees without discriminating against Jordanians will be one of the key policy objectives over the next few years.2 The new approach introduces modern technologies (biometrics for refugee registration). It also foresees extendedprovision of cash for refugees with which they can buy their own food and other necessities, places strong emphasis onproviding education for refugee children, as well as on protection and youth services, and shifts the focus onto servicedelivery through local and municipal systems, away from international organisations or NGOs.

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On the third day of their mission, the Delegation visited the Zaatari refugee camp in a desertarea 10 km from the Jordanian-Syrian border. Members were welcomed at the UNHCR basecamp and briefed by the External Relations Officer of UNHCR, Mrs Marwa Hashem, andthe Communication Officer of UNICEF, Mr Samir Badran. Members highly valued thework of all UN agencies in alleviating the suffering of the Syrian refugees.

UNHCR, together with the Syrian Refugee Affairs Directorate (SRD), which is part of theJordanian Ministry of the Interior, operates the Zaatari refugee camp, which was set upon 29 July 2012. Since that time, approximately 460 000 refugees have passed through thecamp. It is gradually evolving into a permanent settlement with an automatic registration systemfor new arrivals (including biometrics), which is a prerequisite for receiving a ‘ration card’(camp ID) giving access to the humanitarian assistance distributed in the camp. Members wereinformed that the camp has now reached its full capacity and that new arrivals cannot beaccepted for the time being.

There are currently 80 000 refugees living in the camp, including 40 000 children (of whom26 732 are of school age and 5 774 are out of school). 21 587 refugee children of school agehave enrolled in formal education. 3 999 children have enrolled in the kindergarten inside thecamp. UNICEF and the Jordanian Ministry of Education have opened 29 schools (with adouble-shift system) inside the camp.

Members visited a school and took the chance to discuss the most urgent needs of teachers andpupils. In order to gain a broader insight, Members visited the International Medical Corps(IMC) Centre to meet refugee students as well. Education in Jordan is mandatory, which alsoapplies to the refugee camp inhabitants1.

In Zaatari, there are two hospitals and nine primary health care centres run by 120community health volunteers. Members visited one health clinic, including the delivery unit ofthe camp2. Medical staff informed Members that the main challenges are providing the long-term care needed for people wounded in the war. Moreover, birth control is one of the majorobjectives of the UN agencies working in Zaatari, where around 300 babies are born everymonth.

Members also got a glimpse of the real living conditions inside the camp, made up of countlessbarracks, while walking through it. On their way through the camp, Members spotted facilities,such as shops, health centres, schools, the kindergarten, a Mosque and a communitycentre. This left an impression of tough living conditions, which was reinforced by the dustyair as the refugee camp is stranded in the desert. However, there is a broad range of services onoffer and a rudimentary economic life has started, as witnessed by the Members when stoppingoff at local shops and a ‘kiosk’ run by the refugees where the Delegation took their lunch break.When asked, the majority of refugees expressed their gratitude for the shelter and assistance

1 Scholarship opportunities are primarily provided through the UNHCR’s DAFI Scholarship Programme. For studentswho were forced to interrupt their university studies, partnerships are being established with educational institutionsto provide accredited skills training. At the end of each school year, successful students are granted a legitimatecertificate.2 The health of refugees and other forcibly displaced people is a key component of protection and a priority for UNHCR.According to the 1951 Refugee Convention, refugees should enjoy access to health services equivalent to that of the hostpopulation.

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provided by the UN agencies, but they also stated their strong wish to go back to Syria as soonas the situation on the ground allowed for a return.

b.) Visit to ‘Amman New Camp’ and the situation of Palestinian refugees

Members visited the so-called ‘Amman New Camp’ (which was in fact established in 1955),one of the ten Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan. It covers an area of 0.48 square kilometres.The camp was one of four accommodating some of the 750 000 Palestinian refugees anddisplaced persons who left as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. 57 000 registered refugeescurrently live in Amman New Camp. In Jordan, many Palestinians have both UNRWArefugee status and full Jordanian citizenship, whereas many Jordanians of Palestinianorigin are not registered as refugees. Approximately half of the Jordanian population (7.6million) is made up of Palestinians. Whereas Palestinians who hold Jordanian citizenship arequite well integrated, Palestinian refugees living in camps remain particularly vulnerable. Otherinequalities are related to Palestinian refugees known as ‘Gaza refugees’ (who fled the Gazastrip after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war). This group has not been granted citizenship, or access towork and property. Moreover, Gaza refugees suffer from a high rate of unemployment.

Of the 5 million UNRWA-registered Palestinian refugees, Jordan hosts the highest numberwith 2.2 million registered Palestine refugees. These refugees are spread across the officialUNRWA camps1. UNRWA runs the official camps as well as schools and health centres.Moreover, it provides social services, micro financing and humanitarian relief in the form offood, cash or shelter assistance. Throughout the past decades, UNRWA has been the mainprovider of public services to Palestinian refugees residing in Jordan. In addition to 13 schoolsand one health centre, the camp houses one community-based rehabilitation centre, onewomen’s programme centre, one environmental health office and one camp services office.

UNRWA Director in Jordan, Roger Davies, and Deputy-Director, Nils Ryman, in charge ofthe Education Programme, briefed members on-site. UNRWA representatives displayed a highdegree of gratitude towards the EU as an indispensable and reliable partner and, inparticular, for supporting the UN agency. The Delegation was notably thanked for havingvisited Amman New Camp, which meant a lot to the Palestinian refugees given that the MiddleEast Peace Process has no longer taken centre stage in the region in recent years and manyPalestinians have the feeling that they have been somewhat forgotten.

Mr Davies acknowledged that, alongside the EU’s response to the Syrian refugee crisis, asignificant component of the EU’s financial interventions in Jordan has been provided toUNRWA. However, Mr Davies expressed his serious concerns about the financial crisesUNRWA is currently facing. According to Mr Davies, UNRWA has experiencedconsecutive funding shortages over the past few years, partly owing to the knock-oneffects of the situation in Syria, partly to other factors, such as the deteriorating situationin Gaza. As UNRWA needs to accommodate a growing number of vulnerable Palestinianrefugees, including those fleeing Syria, who have all borne the brunt of the impact of theslowing-down of the Jordanian economy in terms of employment, UNRWA at the same timehas to keep up with meeting the needs for food, healthcare, training, cash assistance, etc. Thereis apparently an urgent need to enlarge the pool of UNRWA donors, according to Mr Davies.

1 UNRWA’s field of operations in Jordan is dived into four administrative areas: Irbid, North Amman, South Ammanand Zarqa.

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Members reaffirmed that they would follow up on the financial situation of UNRWA inParliament and underlined once again the indispensable role UNRWA is playing in providingstable, high-quality services to Palestinian refugees. During a walking tour in the camp,Members had the opportunity to witness first hand that Amman New Camp is veryovercrowded. Kiosks and haphazard stalls added to the disorganisation on crowded streets.Over the years, the camp has grown into an urban neighbourhood, which has almost beenabsorbed by the city of Amman. The visit to Amman New Camp was concluded by visiting thehouseholds of two Palestinian refugee families registered with the Agency’s Social Safety NetProgramme. The dire living conditions of the two families left a depressing impression on theMembers and staff.

c.) Palestinian refugees from Syria

UNRWA also assists recorded Palestinian refugees from Syria (PRSs). At the time of themission, the total population of recorded PRSs in Jordan stood at approximately 20 000, but theactual number is most likely higher. These ‘double refugees’ are particularly vulnerable, as90 % of them suffer from severe poverty. PRSs are a highly marginalised group.Approximately 88 % of the PRS population in Jordan is eligible to receive regular cashassistance in order to cover their basic needs. UNRWA’s response to the vulnerable situationof PRSs has consisted of three key components: 1) delivery of essential health services; 2)emergency education; 3) provision of humanitarian relief. The ‘Syria Emergency Appeal’ 2017requested USD 17 558 388 to preserve resilience and to mitigate vulnerability among the PRSpopulation. If the money cannot be provided, the situation of the PRS will dramaticallydeteriorate. This issue should be followed up on by the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)and the European External Action Service (EEAS).

8. Visit to Umm el-Jimal – UNESCO-UN-funded project

The Delegation visited the UNESCO-UN Women Joint Programme ‘Umm el-Jimal’ on thethird day of the mission. The project fosters rural women’s economic empowermentthrough the creation of cultural tourism services, with a view to transforming thearchaeological site into a marketable destination. Umm el-Jimal is one of the poorestcommunities in the Mafraq Governorate, with a poverty rate of approximately 32 % and a largepresence of Syrian refugees. Women’s participation in the local economy is among the lowestin Jordan, owing to the lack of concrete opportunities. Positioned on the ‘Tentative List ofUNESCO World Heritage Sites’, Umm el-Jimal is a crucial asset for preservation and foreconomic development. Within the framework of the Umm el-Jimal project, women areproducing local and culturally authentic handicrafts. Moreover, the project providesheritage education services to children in order to stimulate their learning capacities and interestin history through direct hands-on activities. Revenues are generated through the services fromwhich the women and their families directly benefit. Members were able to witness first handthat this project is a positive example of where culture becomes a real vector of sustainablesocio-economic development. However, due to the lack of connection with Syrian refugees- as the people directly involved in the project – the visit did not meet the initially foreseenexpectation.

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9. Visit to the ‘LUMINUS’ project – EU funded

Members spent half a day at the EU-funded ‘LUMINUS Education Centre’ in Amman, basedat the Al Quds College. LUMINUS was one of the first education institutions in Jordan torespond to the Syrian refugee crisis by providing 50 % scholarships. When it turned outthat even 50 % was difficult for Syrian students to fund, LUMINUS endeavoured to findfunding partners to support this initiative. As a result, more than 100 Syrian students have beenoffered direct scholarships to date. LUMINUS aims at equipping the young people of theArab world with the skills and competences required by the labour market. It is theleading provider of technical and vocational education and offers 46 courses covering areassuch as engineering, construction, finance, management, healthcare, hotel management,tourism, sciences and creative media. Members took part in an exchange of views withteachers and students at LUMINUS. Students, including Syrian refugees, expressed theirgratitude for receiving a scholarship in order to develop their skills with good prospects offinding a job after finishing their studies. The fact that LUMINUS is about transforming theSyrian refugee crisis into a development opportunity that attracts new investments whilecreating jobs for both, Jordanians and Syrian refugees, was quite impressive.

10. Meeting with civil society organisations

During a dinner hosted by the Chair, Marisa Matias, Members participated in an exchange ofviews with representatives from 10 civil society organisations (CSOs). The discussion focusedmainly on poverty reduction and combating unemployment, democratic governance, therule of law, human rights, the political participation of women and education.

CSOs expressed serious concerns related to the right to freedom of association and inparticular about sweeping amendments to the country’s association law proposed by theJordanian authorities that, if implemented, would hamper the ability of CSOs and NGOs to beestablished and to operate.

Some invitees raised the issue of the erosion of the right to freedom of speech and belief, asJordanian law criminalises speeches deemed critical of the King, foreign countries, governmentofficials and institutions, as well as Islam.

On the issue of women’s rights, Jordan’s personal status code remains discriminatory, inspite of an amendment in 2010 that included widening women’s access to divorce and childcustody. According to Jordan’s national law, Jordanian women married to non-Jordanians arenot allowed to pass on their nationality either to their spouse or to their children. CSOs werealso critical of a law, which allows for reduced sentences for the perpetrators of ‘honourcrimes’. According to some CSOs, the perpetrators of the killings of at least 26 women andgirls between January and November 2016 claimed that the murders were ‘honour crimes’.

Some representatives from the ‘MADRASATI Organisation’, in charge of education and youth,complained in particular about the EU’s stringent visa policy, which made it almostimpossible for Jordanians to obtain a Schengen visa within a reasonable time (allowing astay in the Schengen area of a maximum of 30 days within a period of 90 days ofsubmitting the application). According to a representative of the MADRASATI Organisation,the complicated visa application procedure prevented Jordanian students and members of the

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organisation from receiving a Schengen visa in order to participate in the EU’s Erasmusprogramme. Members expressed their willingness to follow up on the issue in Parliament sinceit appears that the EU’s visa procedure is jeopardising the aims of the Erasmus programme.

11. EP-Jordan Friendship Group

Prior to the mission, the DMAS secretariat contacted the Jordanian Embassy to the EuropeanUnion in order to prevent any clash between the official meeting of the Delegation and theunofficial Jordan Friendship Group. In its messages, the secretariat outlined that, for politicalreasons, any overlap of the Delegation’s meetings with Jordanian interlocutors and theFriendship Group should be avoided under all circumstances. Only on 20 May 2017 was theDelegation informed by the EU Delegation in Amman that the Friendship Group would bemeeting the King together with the DMAS Delegation1. The embassy neither replied norsubmitted the programme of the Friendship Group, which was drawn up in its entirety by theembassy.

In order to prevent further irritations – also on the Jordanian side – the Delegation Chair decidedto issue a press statement prior to the official start of the programme2. The press statementclarified that only Parliament’s Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries wasauthorised to issue statements on behalf of the European Parliament. At the request of PresidentTajani, who was informed by the Chair about the programme clash on 20 May 2017, theDelegation’s programme went ahead as planned and the meeting with the King, together withthe Friendship Group, took place without further incident. Moreover, the audience with theKing remained the only joint meeting of the two groups. However, this scheduling clashovershadowed the official 8th Interparliamentary Meeting of the Delegation for relations withthe Mashreq countries and the issue will be followed up in the Conference of Delegation Chairs.

1 Already in Amman, on 20 June 2017, the EU-Delegation in Amman informed the Chair that the protocol services ofthe King had decided to convene a joint audience with His Majesty and both groups.2 Press statement of 21 May 2017.

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12. Conclusions and recommendations

The Delegation highlights that Jordan is a key strategic partner of the European Union andcalls for the further deepening of EU-Jordan relations on political, economic, cultural andsocietal levels.

The Delegation praises Jordan’s considerable efforts in hosting an unprecedented influx ofSyrian refugees and its increased assistance to all refugees since the start of the Syrian crisis.In spite of the country’s best efforts to host such a high number of refugees, the Delegationrecognises that the situation for all refugees in the country is of increasing concern and callsupon the Government of Jordan to ensure adequate protection for refugees (especially for thosestranded at the Jordanian-Syrian border). Moreover, the impact of the Syrian crisis on theservices provided to Palestinian refugees by UNRWA and the financial constraints the UNagency is facing must be taken into account, in particular in relation to the indispensable supportfor the most vulnerable among them, such as the Palestinian refugees from Syria.

The Delegation acknowledges that the strain placed on Jordan’s resources by the influx ofrefugees is just one among several economic and financial consequences of the Syrian crisisand of regional instability as a whole and recognises that owing to the spillover effects of theSyrian and Iraqi conflicts, the country’s position in terms of fiscal aspects and externalfinancing has been deeply shaken. Assistance to refugees should therefore go hand in handwith assistance to host communities.

The Delegation underlines the EU’s commitment to continue providing further support toJordan within the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy. It does so in order tohelp the country face the socio-economic and security challenges emerging in the Middle East.

As for Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA), the Delegation is aware of the concerns expressedby the Jordanian interlocutors about the high level of conditionality and underlined, in viewof the Association Agreement and the EU-Jordan compact, the need for more adequaterules of origin.

In view of the serious security challenges that both the Middle East and Europe are facing, theDelegation underlines the need to develop a more holistic approach to strengthencooperation with Jordan in the fight against international terrorism, radicalisation andviolent extremism, and to address their root causes throughout the region.

The Delegation strongly supports Jordan in its efforts to relaunch the Middle East PeaceProcess and to foster the two-state solution as the only way to end the Israel-Palestineconflict.

The Delegation recognises the important role Jordan is playing in international efforts toend the Syrian war.

The Delegation commends Jordan for its efforts in progressing with its political reformprocess towards the consolidation of deep democracy.

The Delegation wishes to express its gratitude to the Jordanian authorities, both in Brusselsand in Jordan, for its facilitation of the mission, and for the kindness and hospitalityshown throughout the three-day programme. In a similar vein, the Delegation underlinesthat the EU-Delegation to Jordan spared no efforts in devising an intensive programme ofactivities and meetings, which allowed the Delegation to make the most of its visit.

ANNEX 1

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European Parliament2014-2019

Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries

DRAFT PROGRAMME

DMAS

Working Group to

Jordan

22 - 24 May 2017

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Sunday 21 May 2017

Individual arrivals – flights in a separate table.

Individual arrival toHotel Crowne Plaza

6th Circle, Amman, JordanTelephone: +962 6 551 0001

17h30-

18h00

Meeting with EUDEL (Egidijus NAVIKAS) -EP (Annette MÜLLER-SERTEN, Lars NIELSEN and Elisa RESCHINI)

Monday 22 May 2017

08h40 Departure from hotel to EUDEL

09h00-10h00 Meeting with EU HoD Fontana and briefing by EU Delegation and ECHO

Venue: EU Delegation-B2 meetingroom

10h00-10h45 Meeting with EU HOMS

Venue: EU Delegation-B2 meeting room

10h50 Departure to Hussaynieh Palace

11h30-

12h00

Meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al HusseinParticipants: Mrs Marisa Matias, Mr Gilles Pargneaux, Mr FrancescGambus, Javier Nart and Mr Miguel Viegas and HOD

12h15 Departure to Luminus

13:00-

15:00

Visit to EU funded project 'LUMINUS' including lunch (see detailedprogramme)Contact person Ms Yara Younes 0798646277

15:05 Departure for MOFA

15h45-

16h15

Meeting with HE Mr Ayman Safadi, Minister of Foreign Affairs andExpatriates

Venue: MOFA

16h20 Departure to UNRWA

16h50-

19h00

Briefing by Director of UNRWA Operations, Jordan, Mr Roger DaviesVisit to UNRWA Amman New Camp "Wehdat" (South-East Amman), (seedetailed programme)

Venue: Amman New Camp Wehdat UNRWA contact: 0790188013

19h00 Departure to Crown Plaza Hotel

19h40 Departure from hotel to EU HoD Residence

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20h00-

22h00

Reception offered by EU Ambassador Andrea Matteo Fontana withMembers States Head of Missions, Heads of UN agencies and relevantJordanian interlocutors

Venue: Residence of EU HoD

Tuesday 23 May 2017

09h30 Departure to Parliament (from hotel)

10h00-

10h30

Meeting with HE, Mr Khamis Atieh, First Deputy Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives

Venue: Parliament

10h35-

11h35

Meeting with Foreign Affairs Committee of the Jordanian Parliament

Venue: Parliament

11h35 Departure to MOPIC

12h00-

12h50

Meeting with HE, Dr Imad Fakhoury, Minister of Planning andInternational Cooperation

Venue: MOPIC

12h50 Departure to MOPPA

13h00-

14h00

Meeting with HE, Mr Musa Maaytah, Minister of Political & ParliamentaryAffairs

Venue: MOPPA

14h00 Departure to Parliament

14h30-15h30 Meeting with the Jordan-EP Friendship Group, Committee of the Senate

Venue: Parliament

Transfer to Crowne Plaza Hotel

19h30 Dinner with CSOs hosted by EP

Venue: Hotel Crowne Plaza,Nabatean Hall

List of CSOsin Annex

Wednesday 24 May 2017

08h30 Departure from hotel to Zaatari refugee camp

10h00-13h20 Visit to Zaatari refugee camp (see detailed programme)

Venue: Zaatari

13h20 Departure to Um Al Jimal

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13h30-14h30 Visit to Um Al Jimal (close to Zaatari camp) – community of womenworking with basalt rock (UN project) UNESCO – UN Women JointProgramme “Empowering rural women in Mafraq Governorate” (seedetailed programme)Contact person: Dr Angela Atzori, mobile +962 9684 7608

Venue: Um Al Jimal

14h30 Transfer to EU Delegation

16h00-17h00 Press Conference

Venue : EU Delegation – B2meeting room

Thursday 25 May 2017

Individual departures back to Europe

ANNEX 2

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European Parliament2014-2019

Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries

22-24 May 2017

Jordan

PARTICIPANTS LIST

MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Ms Marisa MATIAS Portugal GUE/NGLChair of the Delegation

Mr Gilles PARGNEAUX France S&DVice-chair of the Delegation

Mr Francesc GAMBUS Spain PPEMr Javier NART Spain ALDEMr Miguel VIEGAS Portugal GUE

ABBREVIATIONS USED FOR POLITICAL GROUPS

EPP Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)S&D Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and DemocratsECR European Conservatives and Reformists GroupALDE Group of the Alliance of Democrats and Liberals for EuropeGUE/NGL Confederal Group of the European United Left/Nordic Green LeftGreens/EFA Group of the Greens/European Free AllianceEFD Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy GroupNI Non-attached members

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EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DG EXTERNAL POLICIES

Ms Annette MÜLLER-SERTEN Administrator,Euromed & Middle East Unit

Mr Lars NIELSEN Assistant,Euromed & Middle East Unit

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT POLITICAL GROUP STAFF

Ms Itziar MUNOA SALAVERRIA ALDEMs Elisa RESCHINI GUEMr Eldar MAMEDOV S&D

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - INTERPRETATION

Mr Diego ALFARO PTMs Maria Teresa LEITAO PTMs Lila GUHA FRMs Isabelle SEGUELA FRMs Lina DOKHGAN ARMs Serene HULEILEH AR

ANNEX 3

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European Parliament2014-2019

Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries

22 - 24 May 2017

Jordan

Press release

Amman, 24 May 2017

Five Members of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the Mashreqcountries, composed by Marisa MATIAS (GUE/NGL, Portugal, Chair), Gilles PARGNEAUX(S&D, France, Vice Chair), Francesc GAMBUS (EPP, Spain), Javier NART (ALDE, Spain)and Miguel VIEGAS (GUE/NGL, Portugal), conducted an official visit to Jordan, from 22 to24 May 2017. The Delegation and the Jordanian Parliament met this week in order to reconfirmtheir solid partnership and to strengthen their relations in the framework of the 8th

Interparliamentary Meeting on political, social, security, economic and cooperation mattersand to assess the spill-over effects of the Syrian conflict into Jordan.During its three-day mission, the Delegation was welcomed by His Majesty, King Abdullah IIbin Al Hussein. Members also held meetings with the acting Speaker of the Lower House ofthe Jordanian Parliament, H.E. Khamis Atieh, and with several Members of the JordanianParliament, including the Heads of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and of theJordanian-European Parliament Friendship Committee of the Senate. Moreover, the Delegationtook the opportunity to meet with its key interlocutors H.E. Ayman Al-Safadi, Minister ofForeign Affairs and Expatriates, H.E. Musa Maaytah, Minister of Political and ParliamentaryAffairs, H.E. Dr. Emad Fakhoury, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation andrepresentatives of civil society organisations.

The Members also spent a whole day in the Zaatari refugee camp, which currently hosts morethan 79.000 Syrian refugees and took the opportunity to visit the EU-funded project in the areaof educaton “LUMINUS", as well as the UN-project “Um Al Jimal” which aims to empowerwomen living in rural regions of the Mafraq Governorate and the UNRWA Wehdat camp,

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which accommodates Palestinian refugees.

The Delegation welcomed the Jordanian efforts and solidarity providing assistance to allrefugees, notably Syrians, while praising the continuous support towards the Palestinianrefugees, since 1948, and more recently dealing with the Palestinian refugees escaping fromSyria. The Members highly valued the work of all United Nation's Agencies in alleviating thesuffering and facing the challenges of the refugees and the most vulnerable people.

Education is a key-tool to avoid a lost generation and to prevent radicalisation. In this sense,the Delegation commended the Jordanian Government for its recent efforts to allow access formore than 165.000 Syrian children to education

The Mashreq Delegation recognised the domestic challenges Jordan is facing while coping withthe increasing demands following the Syrian crisis, namely access to water, waste management,infrastructures and health.

Members of the European Parliament together with their counterparts agreed on the importanceof strengthening political dialogue on human rights. Furthermore, they recalled that steps arestill needed concerning women empowerment and to increase job opportunities for both womenand youth.

During their official meetings with Jordanian parliamentarians, Members reaffirmed theEuropean Union’s commitment to closer cooperation with Jordan to better address its mosturgent challenges emerging in the region. On one hand, Members supported Jordan in its effortsto relaunch the Middle East Peace Process, and on the other hand, the Delegation alsorecognised the important role Jordan is playing in international efforts to bring the Syrian warto an end.

As for the EU Macro Financial Assistance (MFA), the Members of the Delegationacknowledged the concerns expressed by the Jordanian interlocutors towards the high level ofconditionality, and underlined the need for more adequate rules of origin.

The European Parliament's Delegation

praises Jordan’s considerable efforts in hosting Syrian refugees in addition toPalestinian and Iraqi refugees and its increased assistance since the start of the Syriancrisis;

underlines that Jordan is a close and strategic partner of the European Union and praisestheir good and extensive bilateral ties;

calls for further deepening of the EU-Jordan relations on the political, economic,cultural and societal level ;

in view of the serious security challenges that both the Middle East and Europe arefacing, underlines the need to strengthen cooperation in the fight against internationalterrorism, radicalisation and violent extremism, and to address their root causesthroughout the region;

highlights that an active civil society and public consultation are the backbone of apluralistic and democratic society.

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European Parliament2014-2019

Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries

22 - 24 May 2017

Jordan

Press release

A delegation of the European Parliament will visit Jordan on 22 - 24 May 2017

21-05-2017: A cross-party delegation of the European Parliament's Delegation for relationswith the Mashreq countries will be on an official mission in Jordan in the framework of the 8thInterparliamentary Meeting from 22 to 24 May 2017. The Delegation will be based in Ammanand will meet with His Majesty, King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein and representatives of theJordanian government, civil society and non-governmental organisations. The Delegation willalso visit refugee camps and EU funded projects.

The Delegation is the only body representing the official position of the European Parliament,in particular during the audience with His Majesty, the King.

The Delegation will give a press conference on Wednesday, 24 May 2017 in Amman. A fullpress release on the results of the mission will be issued after the press conference.

The group will be led by Delegation Chair Marisa Matias (GUE/NGL, Portugal) and composedof 4 other Members: Gilles Pargneaux (Vice-Chair of Delegation, S&D, France), FrancescGambus (PPE, Spain), Javier Nart (ALDE, Spain) and Miguel Viegas (GUE/NGL, Portugal).