In 2007 Jordan was invited to align itself with EU declarations in the field of Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) on a case-by-case basis but has not yet taken any decision on this. Throughout 2008, Jordan continued to seek opportunities to facilitate peace in the Middle East. It continued to support the Arab Peace Initiative and Palestinian national reconciliation. Jordan also played a role in the training of Palestinian police. Jordan sent significant amounts of humanitarian aid to Gaza and has been very effective in channelling aid to Gaza. Jordan continues to host many Iraqi refugees, the exact number of which is disputed. This puts considerable pressure on Jordan’s resources and infrastructure. Iraqis receive free treatment in government hospitals and for the second consecutive year the government, with the support of the EC, allowed all Iraqi children to attend government schools, regardless of their residency status. In November 2008, an EU fact-finding mission was carried out to Syria and Jordan with the purpose of examining the resettlement needs of refugees from Iraq who are currently living in these countries. The Government also announced that Iraqi children will in 2008-2009 be exempted from paying fees and textbooks and will benefit from the school nutrition programme. See, also, section 5.
