22003D0617

2003/617/EC: Decision No 1/2003 of the EU-Jordan Association Council of 23 August 2003 setting up subcommittees of the Association Committee and a Working Party for Social Affairs

Official Journal L 215 , 27/08/2003 P. 0091 - 0106

Decision No 1/2003 of the EU-Jordan Association Council

of 23 August 2003

setting up subcommittees of the Association Committee and a Working Party for Social Affairs

(2003/617/EC)

THE EU-JORDAN ASSOCIATION COUNCIL,

Having regard to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Jordan, of the other part,

Whereas:

(1) A free trade area is to be established between the EU and Jordan by 30 April 2014 at the latest.

(2) The EU's relations with the southern Mediterranean countries are becoming increasingly complex as a result of the implementation of the Euro-Mediterranean agreements and the continuation of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.

(3) Subcommittees of the association committees of the other associated countries have been set up in order to monitor the implementation of the partnership priorities and the approximation of legislation.

(4) There is a need to integrate the environment in sectoral policies, the objective being sustainable development.

(5) Article 95 of the Agreement provides for the setting up of the working groups or bodies necessary for the implementation of the Agreement and Article 84 of the Agreement provides for the setting up of a working party to evaluate the implementation of the provisions related to social dialogue and social cooperation,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

The Working Party for Social Affairs and the subcommittees of the EU-Jordan Association Committee listed in Annex I are hereby set up and the Rules of Procedure of the Working Party and those subcommittees in Annex II are hereby adopted.

They shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which they shall report after each of their meetings. The Working Party for Social Affairs and the subcommittees shall have no decision-making power.

The Association Committee shall take any other action needed to ensure that they operate properly and inform the Association Council accordingly.

The Association Council may decide to set up further subcommittees or groups or to abolish existing subcommittees or groups.

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 23 August 2003.

For the Association Council

M. Muasher

ANNEX I

EU-JORDAN ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT

WORKING PARTY FOR SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND SUBCOMMITTEES ATTACHED TO THE ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE

1. Working Party for Social Affairs

2. Internal market

3. Industry, trade, services and investment promotion

4. Transport, environment and energy

5. Research and innovation

6. Agriculture and fisheries

7. Justice and security

8. Regional cooperation

9. Customs cooperation

In view of their importance as an essential part of the Association Agreement, matters relating to democratic principles and human rights will be discussed with due attention in the various bodies set up under the Agreement. If the parties so decide and in the framework of their enhanced cooperation, they will also be discussed within a subcommittee of the Association Committee or within a specific working party.

ANNEX II

EU-JORDAN WORKING PARTY FOR SOCIAL AFFAIRS

1. Composition and chair

The Working Party shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of Jordan and be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

The Working Party shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power but may submit proposals to the Association Committee.

3. Subject matter

The Working Party shall discuss the implementation of the provisions of the Association Agreement related to social dialogue and social cooperation (Articles 80, 81, 82). In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The Working Party shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:

(a) migration and repatriation of illegal immigrants;

(b) promotion of the role of women;

(d) movement of workers and equal treatment;

(e) dialogue in social matters.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

The Working Party may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Jordan shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the Working Party.

All communications concerning the Working Party shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

The Working Party shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a request from either party, channelled through their secretary, who will pass the request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a Working Party meeting, the secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days.

In cases of particular urgency, the Working Party may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the Working Party shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the Working Party may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the Working Party agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the secretary in charge to his or her counterpart not later than 10 days before the beginning of the meeting.

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the secretaries have received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than 15 days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the Working Party at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes, including the Working Party's proposals, shall be forwarded by the secretaries of the Working Party to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee.

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the Working Party shall not be public.

RULES OF PROCEDURE

EU-JORDAN SUBCOMMITTEE No 2 Internal market

1. Composition and chair

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of Jordan and be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power but may submit proposals to the Association Committee.

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:

(a) Technical Regulations, metrology, accreditation, standardisation, normalisation, certification, conformity assessment, and market surveillance;

(b) Competition law and State aid;

(d) Public procurement.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Jordan shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a request from either party, channelled through their secretary, who will pass the request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days.

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes, including the subcommittee's proposals, shall be forwarded by the secretaries of the subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee.

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

RULES OF PROCEDURE

EU-JORDAN SUBCOMMITTEE No 3 Industry trade, services and investment promotion

1. Composition and chair

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of Jordan and be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:

(a) Industrial cooperation, including business environment, SME promotion, industrial modernisation, and innovation policy (Articles 66 and 67 of the Association Agreement);

(b) Trade issues;

(d) Tourism;

(e) Right of establishment;

(f) Industrial modernisation;

(g) Access to finance and investment.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Jordan shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

RULES OF PROCEDURE

EU-JORDAN SUBCOMMITTEE No 4 Transport, environment and energy

1. Composition and chair

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of Jordan and shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement and the integration of environment policy in all areas of the Association Agreement. In order to do so, the subcommittee will, in so far as it is possible, foster regular working relationships with other subcommittees. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:

(a) transport: including infrastructure modernisation and development (in particular interconnections), market opening security and safety in maritime and air transport, control and management of ports and airports, improvements to the multimodal system and regional cooperation;

(b) environment: including building environmental protection capacity in the priority areas specified in the short- and medium-term priority environmental action programme (SMAP) and integration of the environment dimension in the priority sectors of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership with a view to sustainable development;

(c) energy: including infrastructure modernisation and development (in particular interconnections), security and safety of energy infrastructure and transport, demand management, promotion of renewable energies, research and cooperation on data exchange, regional cooperation;

(d) water: including infrastructure, modernisation, management, safe access to water resources and research.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Jordan shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

RULES OF PROCEDURE

EU-JORDAN SUBCOMMITTEE No 5 Research and innovation

1. Composition and chair

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of Jordan and be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:

(a) Development of scientific and technological capacity especially concerning the use of RTD results by the industrial and SME sector;

(b) Innovation, dissemination of knowledge and technology transfers;

(d) Information technologies;

(e) Cultural cooperation and audiovisual policies;

(f) Networks of decentralised cooperation.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Jordan shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

RULES OF PROCEDURE

EU-JORDAN SUBCOMMITTEE No 6 Agriculture and fisheries

1. Composition and chair

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of Jordan and be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:

(a) agriculture diversification;

(b) agriculture cooperation between business, groups and organisations;

(d) integrated rural development;

(e) agriculture and trade.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Jordan shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

RULES OF PROCEDURE

EU-JORDAN SUBCOMMITTEE No 7 Justice and Security

1. Composition and chair

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of Jordan and be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:

(a) cooperation on justice;

(b) drugs;

(d) cooperation in combating organised crime, including trafficking on human beings, terrorism, corruption and money laundering.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Jordan shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

RULES OF PROCEDURE

EU-JORDAN SUBCOMMITTEE No 8 Regional cooperation

1. Composition and chair

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of Jordan and be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:

(a) regional integration initiatives;

(b) development of economic infrastructures including water, energy and environment;

(d) coordination of regional matters from the other subcommittees;

(e) scientific and technological research.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Jordan shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

RULES OF PROCEDURE

EU-JORDAN SUBCOMMITTEE No 9 Customs cooperation

1. Composition and chair

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of Jordan and be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:

(a) rules of origin;

(b) general customs procedures, customs nomenclature, custom valuation;

(d) customs cooperation.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Jordan shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.