JORDAN: SWEDISH AMBASSADOR OUTLINES LOCAL PLANS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 001519 SIPDIS FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/RA, EUR/NB, EUR/ERA, S/SECC, OES/ECG, S/GWI E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2019 TAGS: PHUM SENV EUN ECON KWMN SW JO SUBJECT: JORDAN: SWEDISH AMBASSADOR OUTLINES LOCAL PLANS FOR EU PRESIDENCY REF: JORDAN 516 Classified By: A/DCM Natalie E. Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Swedish ambassador to Jordan outlined her mission's plans to support national objectives for the EU Presidency, which began on July 1. Internationally, Sweden plans to take a leadership role in the preparations for the December 2009 UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen and it also intends to make the current economic and financial crisis a top priority. Specifically in Jordan, the Swedish Embassy is exploring, with the Jordanian Minister of Environment, the possibility of a joint EU-Arab conference in Amman in advance of the Copenhagen summit. The Ambassador is also preparing to host a conference on women's issues and will also conduct an interim review of Jordan's request for enhanced status under the European Neighborhood Policy. End Summary. Climate Change Will Be a Priority -------------- ¶2. (C) The Swedish Ambassador to Jordan Charlotta Sparre stated during a June 30 meeting with PolChief that her country's agenda for the EU presidency would focus on climate change. In a draft article prepared for publication in the Jordanian media, Sparre wrote that Sweden would attempt to rally EU colleagues and international partners to "tackle the challenge" of climate change. The article also confirmed that discussions had begun with Khaled Irani, the Jordanian Minister of Environment, to host an EU-Arab conference to prepare for high-level climate change discussions at the Copenhagen Summit. Sparre said that while no final decision had been taken by the GOJ on this issue, King Abdullah had responded favorably to the proposal during his recent state visit to Stockholm in June. ¶3. (SBU) While Sparre also mentioned an international focus on economic and financial matters for the presidency, her mission's action plan does not list any special activities on the topic for Jordan. Local Conference to Focus on Women's Issues -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Sparre has well-developed plans for an EU-sponsored conference on women's issues in early October. She will invite local, regional and European experts from NGOs and the public and private sectors to participate. This conference will focus on implementation of the Istanbul Action Plan, a comprehensive framework agreement to promote the status of women. Since its adoption at the November 2006 Euro-Med ministerial conference, periodic meetings have been scheduled to improve the participation levels of women in political life and to eliminate domestic violence and the abuse of migrant workers in both Europe and the Arab world. Jordan's Status under the European Neighborhood Policy -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) In 2004, Jordan requested enhanced status under the European Neighborhood Policy, which would lead to "the prospect of a stake in the EU internal market and pave the way for further economic integration." In pursuit of this goal, Sparre said that a preliminary agreement between the EU and Jordan was signed in 2005 and a specific action plan was agreed upon, with a particular emphasis on political reform, economic modernization, and human rights issues. Since 2005, the EU has provided support for Jordan's "broad modernization and reform program, including the Jordanian-drafted 'National Agenda.'" (Note: While the National Agenda remains the Jordanian government's 10-year blueprint for reform, the architects of this plan were removed from government in the February 2009 cabinet shuffle. (reftel) End Note.) ¶6. (C) On behalf of member states, the Swedish Embassy will coordinate preparations for the review of Jordan's status during a November 16 meeting in Brussels where actual achievements will be measured against the goals set in the 2005 EU/Jordan action plan. In her public article, Sparre said, "The EU welcomes the Jordanian request for upgraded status and looks forward to working jointly with the GOJ to prepare for this intensified dialogue." Privately, Sparre views this meeting as an action-producing event which will hopefully lead to concrete progress by the GOJ on areas of concern, particularly political reform and human rights. ¶7. (C) Comment: Working-level European contacts have told AMMAN 00001519 002 OF 002 PolChief that the Czech EU presidency was unsuccessful on the ground in Amman. Disrupted by the recent change of the Czech government, contacts also said that their Czech counterparts appeared disinterested in local and regional issues. Outwardly, the Swedish Embassy does seem prepared at the beginning of its presidency with a calendar full of working group meetings, conferences and consultations. In addition, Sparre mentioned that she is working closely with her Spanish counterpart to ensure that there is no loss of momentum when the Swedish presidency transfers to Spain in January 2010. End Comment. Visit Amman's Classified Website at http://www/state/sgov/gov/p/nea/amman Beecroft