EU/Jordan Framework Agreement: participation of Jordan in Union programmes. Protocol to the EC/Jordan Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement
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.