19.5.2016   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 181/212

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having regard to the draft Council decision (12138/2012),

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having regard to the draft Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the general principles for the participation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Union programmes (12135/2012),

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having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 217 in conjunction with point (a) of the second subparagraph of Article 218(6) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C7-0008/2013),

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having regard to Rules 81 and 90(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

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having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (A7-0305/2013),

1.

Consents to conclusion of the Protocol;

2.

Stresses the importance of continuing to promote close cooperation and dialogue with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy and of furthering political and economic dialogue between the Union and Jordan;

3.

Recalls that, according to estimates by the Jordanian authorities, more than 500 000 refugees from Syria have sought refuge in Jordan and that the Syrian crisis is having a severe impact on Jordan’s economy and on Jordan’s budget on account of the financial resources required to provide humanitarian assistance to the refugees; regrets, however, that the Jordanian border has been closed to Palestinian refugees from Syria since August 2012;

4.

Stresses, therefore, the importance of providing adequate financial, technical and humanitarian support to Jordan;

5.

Greatly appreciates the commitment shown by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan in promoting a very wide-ranging process of reforms for the benefit of Jordan and its people; stresses the importance of achieving sustainable results through these reforms, especially in terms of social justice;

6.

Welcomes and supports, in addition, the proactive and constructive role of Jordan, as a mediator, in the efforts aimed at finding lasting solutions to various conflicts in the Middle East;

7.

Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.