Following World War II, when millions of people lost their lives and many parts of Europe were left in ruins, French politician Robert Schuman launched the process that would gradually unite European countries economically and politically. It was May 9, 1950.

In his book, the Wealth of Nations, famous economist Adam Smith wrote that “every man lives by exchanging”. In the case of the collaboration between Jordan and the European Union, it is constant exchange that helps our relationship grow stronger.

On Europe Day, we reflect on our achievements as European Union as well as on the partnership we have developed with our neighbours.

Monday was a productive day for EU-Mediterranean cooperation. European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah chaired the Union for the Mediterranean Trade Ministerial meeting in Brussels.

From its dawn, it has been clear that 2018 will keep us on our toes. From political shifts to regional stability, we are all bracing ourselves for what the new year will bring to the world and the Middle East in particular.

December is usually the month when we take stock of what we have achieved during the past year and start thinking of our wishes for the New Year. We look to the future with optimism and hope to build up on the present, in order to harvest the seeds we planted the year before.

On March 25, the European Union marked 60 years since the signature of the Rome Treaties, the first step towards a united Europe.Since the birth of the European Communities in 1957, the citizens of our member states have enjoyed six decades of unprecedented peace, prosperity and