The Jordan-EU Association Agreement which was signed in 1997 became into effect  as of May 1, 2002 in which it  replaces the Co-operation Agreement of 1977.

The Agreement which was ratified by Jordan in September 1999, the European Parliament and fourteen of the EU Member States by January 2002 was pending ratification by Belgium, who ratified it on March 28, 2002.

The main aim of the Association Agreement is to create a free trade area between the EU and Jordan within 12 years and to establish a comprehensive framework for political, economic, and financial co-operation.