Commission to sign a Joint Declaration on priorities for energy co-operation with Jordan

The European Commission represented by Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and Commissioner for Energy, Andris Piebalgs, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, represented by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of Jordan, Khaled Najidb Elshuraydeh on 31 October 2007 signed a Joint Declaration on priorities for co-operation in the energy sector between the European Commission and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The Declaration will be signed in the margins of the Conference on energy security hosted by the European Commission and the Egyptian Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Sharm El Sheikh.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner said: "Deepening energy relations between the EU and the countries of the Mediterranean region is a priority for us. This Joint Declaration will help us work together more closely with Jordan to increase its energy security and support the beneficial reforms in the energy sector. It builds on the strong energy co-operation that we are establishing with other partners in the region, including Egypt, Algeria and Morocco". And she added: "With Jordan we will focus on, among other issues, strengthening Jordan's energy policy with a view to a progressive integration of the Jordanian energy market into that of the EU".

The Joint Declaration provides a framework for co-operation on this and other priority areas:

       * consolidating the Jordanian policy of sustainable energy development, in particular through the promotion of an integrated energy demand management and development of renewable energy;
       * and technical assistance aiming to establish legislative and regulatory framework in Jordan aiming to promote highest standards of nuclear safety.

For more information:

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/jordan/intro/index.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/energy/index.htmhttp://ec.europa.eu/world/enp/index_en.htm