EU and Jordan sign financing agreement on cross-border cooperation in the Mediterranean

March 10, 2017
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The European Union and Jordan have signed a financing agreement on the implementation of the Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) “Mediterranean Sea Basin” Programme, funded in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI).

The conclusion of the financing agreement is a key step for the participation of Jordanian organisations as calls for proposals will be launched starting from the first half of 2017 once all Mediterranean Partner Countries sign a financing agreement with the EU. 

With a budget of EUR 234.5 million (including EU funding and co-financing), the ENI CBC Med Programme aims to fund Euro-Mediterranean cooperation projects in four main sectors, namely business and SMEs development; innovation and technological transfer; fight against poverty and social inclusion; environmental sustainability.

“Jordan will continue its endeavor in this regard as it firmly believes that the ENI CBC Med Programme offers a unique opportunity for all partners and participating countries to widen their cooperation through creating real partnerships and implementing effective projects that contribute to addressing common challenges the region faces,” said Imad N. Fakhoury, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation of Jordan.

The Minister highlighted that with “62 Jordanian partners involved in 47 projects, Jordan has been actively participating in the first phase of the Programme (2007-2013) through the three calls for proposals.”

The Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation is the National Authority of the ENI CBC Med Programme for Jordan. The Ministry will represent Jordan in the Joint Monitoring Committee, which is the decision-making body of the Programme. Jordan also hosts the Programme Branch Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, established within the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA).

H.E Ambassador Andrea Matteo Fontana, Ambassador of the European Union to Jordan, said: “Jordan performed well, as the total value of funded projects was EUR 17.6 million and the country was in the top five beneficiaries out of the thirteen countries participating. I wish Jordan will maintain its high interest in the programme and excellent proposals will again be selected”.

The ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme 2014-2020 follows the ENPI (European Neighbourhood Instrument and Partnership) CBC Med 2007-2013. Funded by the European Union and managed by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia (Italy), the Programme will offer cooperation opportunities between partners from the Mediterranean area in fields of intervention such as economic development, education and research, social inclusion and environmental protection. 

Read more

Press release

ENI CBC Med 2014-2020 strategy

ENI CBC Med 2014-2020 webpage

CBC 2014-20 programming document

CBC MED website

Countries covered:

  • Jordan