Programme for the

Commemoration of King Hussein Legacy

Address to the Euro-Mediterranean Conference on the

Role of Cultural Diversity on the Threshold of the New Millennium

by

H.E. James Moran

Head of the European Commission Delegation

in Amman, Jordan

Amman, 10 October 2000

Your Royal Highnesses, representing His Majesty King Abdullah II, Your Excellency Minister Lamberto Dini Excellencies Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to bring greetings today from Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, and to convey his sincere regrets for not being able to participate in this event. It is also Mr. Prodi's wish that I convey to you, Your Royal Highness, his desire to accept, as soon as possible, the invitation for him to visit Jordan so kindly extended by His Majesty King Abdullah during his visit to Brussels earlier this year.

Today's event is one of a number of cultural activities taking place this year to celebrate the memory of His Late Majesty King Hussein, supported in large measure by the EU's MEDA assistance programme, together with contributions from EU Member State Governments.

As you may know, the idea for such a programme was launched last year at the Stuttgart meeting of European Union and Mediterranean Foreign Ministers, who decided that a series of cultural events should be held in 2000, all aimed at commemorating King Hussein's contribution to peace and enhancing harmony and mutual respect among peoples of the Euro-Mediterranean area. The activities under what has come to be known as the programme for the Commemoration of King Hussein's Legacy include exhibitions, conferences, music and youth exchanges both in Europe and Jordan.

We have heard how these actions help to build bridges. They are also very much in the spirit of the man whose memory drives them. We should recall that His Late Majesty was something of a Master Builder in this regard, and when we look back on his tireless efforts to create peace and harmony - both at home and abroad - we can only be inspired by his example. The more so, as his life's work was accomplished in a region where the conflict is one of the most intractable and complex in history.

Among his many achievements, King Hussein was one of the founders of the EuroMediterranean Partnership launched in Barcelona in 1995 and now involving the 15 EU member States and the 12 Med partner countries, including Jordan itself.

His Late Majesty was quick to seethe benefits of such a partnership; the benefits of a wholehearted commitment to the principles enshrined in the Barcelona Declaration. The benefits of peace, of shared prosperity, and of mutual understanding between peoples within a free and flourishing civil society.

There have been times, perhaps there still are, when one or the other of these three essential pillars has appeared elusive. But five years from the launch of our partnership, real progress has been made. The partnership is the only forum where all 27 partners have continued to meet at the highest levels. EU-Mediterranean trade has continued to grow; free trade agreements have been signed with the majority of partners; some 9 billion Euro in loans and MEDA grants have been provided by the EU, making Europe by far the largest donor of non-military aid to the region; and cooperation in civil society now involves a host of initiatives, ranging across the board from cultural heritage through community development to democracy and human rights.

In all of this, Jordan has consistently punched well above its weight in the various fora of the partnership, often playing a key role in forging agreement, both within the Mediterranean countries and in the partnership at large.

Moreover, the Kingdom has signed and ratified its EU Association Agreement, which will usher in free trade with Europe over the coming decade. It is expected to come into force early next year. Jordan has also been an efficient user of the considerable development assistance that we have provided under the partnership. Its positive performance is due in no small part to the progressive economic policies that have been so energetically promoted and promulgated by Your Majesty, as you move rapidly to modernise the country.

While much has been achieved, we still have much to do if the lofty goals of the Barcelona Declaration are to be realised, and we are looking forward to next month's high level Euro-Mediterranean meeting in Marseilles, under the current French Presidency of the EU. We believe that this is an invaluable opportunity to re-invigorate our partnership, to build on what we have achieved, in the interests of all. As European Commissioner Chris Patten has said, `the potential of the partnership is huge..and the EU wishes to have the closest relations possible' with the Mediterranean.

If I may offer a brief word on the subject of today's conference: with our multitude of traditions and languages, we in Europe know a thing or two about cultural diversity. We know only too well that, left to itself, it can fester in suspicion and conflict. But we also know that if people can engage and learn from one another, it can be a powerful force for good. That is why the European Union has always sought to promote `unity in diversity', whether it be through opening our markets, our borders, our educational systems or our cultural contacts with one another. The last 50 years are testament to the success of this approach, as we have risen from the ashes of war to the heights of peace and prosperity that we enjoy today. Such open dialogue and engagement is also a hallmark of our partnership, and this conference will surely make a key contribution to our quest for better understanding across our common region.

It is His Late Majesty's views on openness with which I should like to end my remarks. In his speech from the throne of November 1997, the King Hussein said, and I quote:

"Identity diminishes and disappears with isolation and seclusion ...thus, a stagnant culture rusts and is lost."

Three years on, these wise words retain their significance, and serve to inspire all who are working so hard to enhance mutual understanding and respect between our peoples.

Thank you.