Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Following talks held by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with Jordanian King Abdullah II in Brussels yesterday. It focused on recent developments and the need to avoid any negative repercussions in the region, as Jordan plays a major role in achieving stability. The Commission announced a large EU support package for Jordan worth €902 million (€402 million in grants and €500 million in loans from the European Investment Bank).
President von der Leyen said: “I thank King Abdullah II for his crucial role in achieving stability in the region. The European Union is a friend and strong partner of Jordan, and our cooperation extends to many areas, from culture to water management, from refugee support to education and health care.” That is why I am pleased to announce today that we will continue our strong support for Jordan’s reform process and the modernization of its economy, according to a statement issued by the European Commission headquarters in Brussels following the talks.
   The aid package announced by the European Union for Jordan today includes the following:
The €185 million package focused on improving education and technical training for young people as well as promoting Jordan's rich cultural heritage and creating sustainable job opportunities in the tourism sector. The package also contains initiatives to help refugees and vulnerable host communities access education, social protection, water and sanitation services.
Launching two new initiatives with a total value of 110 million euros, to promote private sector development and education, in particular providing job opportunities for young people, by helping them acquire the necessary skills required by the labor market, and on the other hand to help small and medium enterprises develop and create fair and sustainable job opportunities for young people. The focus is on innovative sectors such as green and digital industries with great potential in Jordan.
As part of the EU Economic and Investment Plan for the Southern Neighborhood, the EU supports investments in Jordan to address current water shortages. The European Union has just signed with the European Investment Bank (EIB) a first grant of €50 million for the vital Aqaba-Amman desalination and water transfer project, and approved an additional EU contribution of €47 million for the project, complementing a new soft loan of €100. $1 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB). This follows €200 million in financing for the project signed by the European Investment Bank in December 2022, representing the first official commitment of international support for the project. The project will provide 300 million cubic meters of drinking water annually to Jordan once it is operational in 2027.
Additional efforts to reduce water loss and improve the sustainability of water supplies across Jordan will continue thanks to a €400 million European Investment Bank loan under discussion.
Finally, the package also includes the adoption of a new program for energy efficiency and the promotion of biogas production with an EU contribution of €10.4 million just announced.
The EU and Jordan confirmed their strong and lasting partnership at the 14th meeting of the EU-Jordan Association Council on 2 June 2022, adopting new partnership priorities that guide their cooperation until 2027, in line with the new EU Mediterranean Agenda and Economic Plan. And investment.
Building on the priorities of the New Partnership, the European Union has allocated €364 million for bilateral cooperation with Jordan for the period 2021-2024, focusing on three priority areas: good governance (democratic reforms, rule of law and security, accountability and effective management); Supporting the green transition and resilient economy (green economy, energy-water-food nexus, private sector development) and supporting human development (education and higher education, social protection, employability).
The Jordanian King held a series of talks during his visit to the institutions of the European Union and NATO in the Belgian capital, Brussels.