Parliament agrees to €500 million loan to buttress Jordan’s economy
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17. Dezember 2019 In Aktuell

Parliament agrees to €500 million loan to buttress Jordan’s economy

The Parliament on Tuesday agreed to granting a €500 million loan to support Jordan’s economy as the country struggles with the fallout of the Syrian war.

Jordan hosts overall 1.3 million Syrian refugees, which puts additional strain on its budget that had already been under pressure from the disruption of commerce and tourism due to the conflicts in neighbouring Iraq and Syria.

MEPs underlined: Jordan is working on the provision of affordable health care and access to work to the refugees.

They also remark that while the human rights situation in Jordan is constantly evolving, it is considered one of the most democratic states in the Middle East. The EU-provided support is instrumental in the continuation of Jordanian programs for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as its fight against Islamic terrorism, they note.

Luisa Regimenti (ID, IT) rapporeur

“We advocate the awarding of long-term low-interest loan to accommodate increased needs of the country, given the huge numbers of Syrian refugees it hosts, its combat of Islamic terrorism, and its safeguarding of human rights in the region,” Luisa Regimenti (ID, IT) said at Monday’s debate.

Parlament voted 654 in favour of the loan, with 28 votes against and 11 abstentions.

Background

The €500 million in concessional loans the country applied for to buttress its economy will be the third so-called macro-financial assistance (MFA) program the EU and other international donors help the country. It follows a first €180 million and a second €200 million loan.

Next steps

Before the loan can be disbursed, Council is to give the official green light on 19 December.