News

Jordan 2011: an important quality leap in political reform

01-06-2012

Jordan made encouraging political reforms in 2011, notably the constitutional amendments adopted by Parliament in September, despite a volatile climate stemming from government instability (with three successive governments in nine months) and a worsening economic outlook. These are some of the conclusions of the report on progress made on implementation of the EU-Jordan ENP Action Plan between 1 January and 31 December 2011, released in May by the European Commission. The report includes recommendations on how Jordan can step up the implementation of the AP.
 
The report describes 2011 as a politically and economically challenging year for Jordan: three successive governments in nine months, a worsening economic outlook, increasing unemployment, a deepening budget deficit, the decline of foreign investments and increasing energy supply costs all add up to a volatile picture. In contrast to other countries in the region, however, protesters in Jordan did not call for regime change but rather for reform of the existing political system.
 
Yet despite this difficult context, Jordan made "an important quality leap in its political reforms’ process" through the adoption in September of far-reaching constitutional amendments. The latter address a number of priorities agreed in the framework of the new EU-Jordan ENP Action Plan negotiated in 2010, in particular the establishment of an independent electoral commission, greater accountability of the government, the empowerment of political parties through the revision of legislation and the prohibition of torture. In other cases, the amendments go beyond Jordan’s ENP Action Plan commitments, i.e. the establishment of the Constitutional Court, limitation of the government’s ability to enact provisional (temporary) law and new, more restrictive, rules on the dissolution of the Parliament.
 
The Public Gatherings Law which entered into force in May introduced some positive changes in terms of freedom of expression and assembly. As far as freedom of the press is concerned, journalists and online media had confrontations with security agencies, notably when reporting on demonstrations, while the Jordanian authorities were criticised for hounding journalists and for failing to hold police accountable.
 
Following a period of modest growth and gradual recovery from the global financial crisis throughout 2010, the Jordanian economy was affected by the Arab Spring events and the conflict in neighbouring Syria, notably through the external sector and the fiscal-policy response to domestic social pressures.
 
The first meeting of the Jordan-EU Task Force took place on 22 February in Jordan. The Task Force has been established to deepen the EU-Jordan relations, support and encourage the political and economic reforms and enhance effective coordination between the EU and its Member States, as well as other European and international bodies.
 
In recognition of the efforts already made by the government, Jordan will receive an additional financial envelope of €70 million to be made available in 2012, of which €30 million immediately, through the new Support for Partnership, Reform and Inclusive Growth (SPRING) programme, focusing on good governance and economic growth (notably support to small and medium-sized enterprises and vocational training).
 
The report comes up with a number of recommendations to sustain implementation of the ENP Action Plan in 2012, inviting Jordan to:
  • Adopt the law creating an independent electoral commission, the electoral law, the political parties’ law and the law on the establishment of the constitutional court, and ensure their effective implementation.
  • Intensify the fight against corruption as it undermines the country’s political, economic and social development.
  • Increase efforts to eradicate violence against women and to promote their integration in politics, socio-economic life through promoting women entrepreneurs, women’s participation in the labour market and in education, in line with the recommendations listed in the preliminary report issued in October by the UN Special Rapporteur on discrimination against women.
  • Strengthen the independence and impartiality of the judiciary as well as its administrative capacity, including strengthening the financial and administrative independence of the Judicial Council.
  • In the light of the constitutional amendment outlawing torture, proceed with the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
  • Prevent any kind interference in mainstream and online news portals, to ensure the freedom of the press.
  • Ratify the regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean Rules of Origin.
  • Pursue regulatory convergence to support efforts to increase exports and to prepare an Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of industrial products and, eventually, a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement.
  • Implement the recently adopted plans for improved internal audit and control in the Audit Bureau and the Ministry of Finance.
  • Continue to develop renewable energy sources.
The Jordan Progress Report is part of a set of documents released by the EU in the framework of its annual assessment of the European Neighbourhood Policy.
 
The package also incudes reports on progress in relations between the EU and its other Neighbours in the South, and a report on the “Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity”, concerning Southern Mediterranean, including a roadmap. (EU Neighbourhood Info) 
 
Read more
 
Jordan 2011 ENP Progress Report and memo
 
Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity: Report on activities in 2011 and Roadmap for future action 
 
EU Neighbourhood Info Centre – EU assesses reforms in the Neighbourhood (15 May)
 
EU Info Centre country page Jordan
 

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