EU grants Jordan 30 million euros poverty relief

BRUSSELS - The European Union granted Jordan 30 million euros ($56.25 million) poverty relief and development money on Thursday and said it hoped to come up with a plan next month to advance its ties with the Arab state.

The package was signed at talks between King Abdullah and EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso, who hailed the Jordanian leader's efforts to advance peace in the Middle East.

"We addressed the peace process. We agreed it is time to go ahead with that process," Barroso said, adding the two also discussed Iraq and the forthcoming Palestinian elections.

Barroso told reporters he hoped the Commission could present EU leaders next month with plans on how to strengthen ties with Jordan under its newly adopted European Neighbourhood Policy.

Those countries ultimately taken in under the neighbourhood pact would be expected to introduce economic and political reforms to achieve EU standards of governance.

In return they would eventually receive free trade, the freedom to move and work across the bloc and all benefits of membership except voting rights and representation in bodies like the European Parliament and the European Commission.

- REUTERS