EU signs deal to provide USD 600 mln in aid to Jordan

AMMAN, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Jordan and the EU on Monday signed a deal in which the EU pledges to provide 510 million euros (600 million U.S. dollars) in aid to Jordan over the next three years.

Jordanian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury and EU Ambassador to Jordan Andrea Matteo Fontana signed the deal that extends from 2017-2020.

"This declaration represents another important step towards solidifying our bilateral relations, and is a clear indication of the EU's continued support to Jordan's developmental efforts," Fakhoury said during the signing ceremony.

Fontana noted that "the EU remains a credible partner for Jordan, supporting the Kingdom's social economic development and stability as laid down in the Vision 2025."

Under the new program, the EU will support Jordan in the areas of social and economic development, strengthening of the rule of law, border management, prevention of violent extremism, and civil society and capacity building.

The EU will target its support to deepen the reforms of the education sector under the Human Resource Development Strategy, and strengthen the innovation ecosystem towards a reduction of unemployment among Jordanian youth, according to Fontana.

Furthermore, the EU will also provide assistance to the social protection system of Jordan by improving the policy framework and governance structures, he added.

Among the agreements signed, a grant deal worth 100 million euros was also signed during the ceremony to help implement the National Solid Waste Management Strategy 2015-2025.

Fakhoury said it will improve the waste disposal management system in the central and northern regions and the socio-economic well-being and health of waste collectors. Enditem