EU Council approves €13.25 million in support of Jordan Armed Forces

AMMAN — The European Council has adopted an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility (EPF) worth €13.25 million in support of the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF).

Citing an "increasingly volatile regional context," the EU Council said in a statement that the assistance measure will contribute to strengthening the capacities of JAF to increase their ability to ensure Jordan’s stability and national security, and protect the civilian population. 

The Council said that the measure will provide concrete support to the Northern and Eastern JAF Commands with detection and counter measures systems, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, as well as mobility and engineering equipment.

It also said that the decision taken on Monday is an "expression of the increasing EU-Jordan partnership, including in the field of security and defence. Jordan is a key partner for the EU and its member states, in view of its instrumental role for the stability of the region, as a voice of moderation and peace."

At the 15th EU-Jordan Association Council held on July 15in Brussels, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi agreed to further upgrade bilateral relations by launching preparations for a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, the statement said.

"This will allow to further advance cooperation between the EU and Jordan in key areas of mutual interest, including in the field of security and defence. Today’s [Monday's] adoption marks an important step towards an increasingly growing security and defence cooperation between the EU and Jordan.