Jordan’s Agreements with Arab Countries

Agreement for the Establishment of a Free Trade
Zone between the Arabic Mediterranean Nations
(AGADIR Agreement)

February 25th, 2004 - Jordan has signed a benchmark agreement to create a free trade area with Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco. The Agreement on Mediterranean Arab Free Trade Area, known as the “Aghadir Agreement” is a crucial step towards the creation of a subregional free trade zone, which the four partners initially agreed on in May 2001.

External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten said: "This agreement brings us closer to our joint objective of a Euro-Mediterranean free trade area by 2010. It will create much needed momentum for Mediterranean regional integration and foster private investment in the region. I strongly encourage other Euro-Med partners to join this agreement."

EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy added: "Tearing down barriers to trade and investment is part of the strategic partnership between the EU and the Mediterranean region launched in 1995. Trade is a vital boost for the development of this region and contributes to stability. Today we are a step closer to our goal".

The agreement will create an integrated market of more than 100 million people in the four countries involved, thus providing new attractive opportunities for European investors in the region. The European Commission has strongly supported the Agadir initiative since its inception and will continue to do so through a MEDA programme of € 4 million, that will provide technical assistance to Agadir member countries and to its soon-to-be-established Secretariat.

View the full text of the agreement