NATO-Jordan Memorandum of Understanding

On 25 April the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) signed with the Jordanian Government a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during a ceremony at NATO Headquarters hosted by the NATO Deputy Secretary General, with the participation of Brigadier General Khaled Obeidat of the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) and Mr. Karl-Heinz Münzner, the NAMSA General Manager.

The signing of this first ever MOU between a Mediterranean Dialogue country and NAMSA will allow the launching of the first Trust Fund between NATO and a Mediterranean Dialogue country, which will concentrate on the support for the demilitarisation of the surplus of old and obsolete ammunition stockpiles and on Unexploded Ordnance (UXO).

Representatives of donor nations to the feasibility study, such as Spain, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and Greece also attended the ceremony.

The project in Jordan will contribute to the improvement of the existing facility located in Zarqa in terms of equipment, training and proper procedures, supporting the creation of a specialised facility in the dismantlement of surplus munitions facility responding to NATO standards notably in terms of security.

It is also envisaged to provide funds for the establishment of a survey on Unexploded Ordnance concerning the two remaining contaminated areas located in the North and East of Jordan. Moreover, detection equipment (ground penetrating radar) is strongly needed by the Royal Engineers as well as some specific training.

This project to be carried out between NATO and Jordan, will mark the start of a new, innovative kind of cooperation, where civilian and military expertise is combined in the destruction of redundant ammunition stockpiles and unexploded ordnance.

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