Jordan and the European Union (EU) have signed an agreement on energy cooperation, including nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, said a statement by the delegation of the European Commission released in Amman yesterday.

EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgsm and Jordanian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Khalid Shraideh signed the "Joint Declaration on Priorities for Energy Cooperation" on the sidelines of the conference on energy security in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Wednesday, it said.

"This joint declaration will help us work together more closely with Jordan to increase its energy security and support the beneficial reforms in the energy sector," Ferrero-Waldner was quoted as saying in the statement.

"With Jordan we will focus on, among other issues, strengthening Jordan's energy policy with a view to a progressive integration of the Jordanian energy market into that of the EU," she added.

The declaration provides a framework for cooperation between the two sides in issues including consolidating the Jordanian policy of sustainable energy development.

It also provides technical assistance aimed to establish legislative and regulatory framework in Jordan to promote highest standards of nuclear safety, according to the statement.

Jordan and the EU have been discussing means to increase their mutual cooperation particularly on nuclear energy issues during the high-level visit exchanges.

In January, Jordan announced that it was pursuing plans to develop a nuclear program for peaceful purposes, a plan that the EU and the United States encouraged.