I was honored to accept the invitation of the European Union Ambassador in Amman to a working lunch, which was attended by a number of representatives from accredited international news agencies and newspapers, as well as writers from the Jordan Times in Jordan. The meeting was dedicated to discussing the prospects for Jordanian-European relations and reviewing the most prominent political, economic, and cooperative developments between the two sides. It also provided an opportunity for direct dialogue and an exchange of views on partnership priorities, regional challenges, and future opportunities to enhance cooperation in various fields.
اضافة اعلان
At the beginning of the meeting, the Ambassador welcomed the attendees, emphasizing the important role played by international media in conveying an accurate image of Jordan, as a key partner of the European Union in the Middle East region. He pointed out that relations between the two sides are based on solid foundations of mutual trust and shared interests, and that the European Union views Jordan as a model of stability and moderation in a region facing complex political and economic challenges.
The meeting addressed various areas of cooperation between Jordan and the European Union, including the economic and trade partnership, European support for development and reform programs in Jordan, and cooperation in other fields. Discussions also covered the support programs provided by the European Union to Jordan to address the effects of regional crises and the economic pressures facing the Jordanian economy.
The Ambassador noted that the European Union is one of Jordan's largest development partners, having provided financial and technical support packages over the years that have contributed to the implementation of vital projects in the water, transportation, energy, and education sectors. He emphasized that this partnership is not limited to financial support but also includes the exchange of expertise, strengthening institutional capacities, and supporting economic and administrative reform efforts.
The meeting also touched upon the first conference held last month, which constituted the first summit of its kind between the two sides. During the conference, the importance of elevating relations to deeper and more comprehensive levels was underscored. This conference marked a pivotal moment in the Jordanian-European partnership, providing a platform for strategic dialogue on shared challenges and ways to address them through more coordinated and effective cooperation.
The participants discussed the outcomes of the conference, which included strengthening economic cooperation, expanding investment opportunities, and supporting infrastructure projects, in addition to cooperation in the areas of regional security, combating terrorism, and addressing irregular migration. Both sides emphasized during the summit the importance of supporting stability in the region and the role Jordan plays in this regard, through both its diplomatic efforts and its hosting of large numbers of refugees.
In this context, the ambassador noted the upcoming conference scheduled for April 21 of this year, which aims to build upon the outcomes of the first summit and enhance relations between Jordan and the European Union across various sectors. He explained that the anticipated conference would witness high-level participation from both sides and will see the launch of new initiatives to deepen economic and development cooperation, as well as explore partnership opportunities in the fields of green technology, renewable energy, and the digital economy.
The ambassador affirmed that the European Union is committed to continuing its support for Jordan in its reform and development journey, and that the next phase will see a greater focus on projects that provide job opportunities for young people, promote innovation, and support the private sector. He also stressed the importance of strengthening cultural and educational exchange between the two sides, which contributes to building bridges of communication between peoples and consolidating the values of understanding and cooperation.
Representatives of international news agencies and newspapers raised several questions regarding the nature of European support for Jordan, prospects for cooperation in light of regional and international challenges, and the European Union's role in supporting economic stability in the Kingdom. The Ambassador addressed these questions, emphasizing that the European Union views Jordan as a long-term strategic partner and that cooperation between the two sides will continue to evolve in accordance with shared needs and changing challenges.
The meeting concluded with an emphasis on the importance of continued dialogue and communication between the European Union and international media, given its role in enhancing transparency, clarifying the positions of both sides, and highlighting shared successes within the partnership.
The Ambassador also expressed his appreciation for the media representatives' participation in the meeting, affirming that the coming period holds promising opportunities for strengthening Jordanian-European relations, serving the interests of both sides and contributing to stability and development in the region.
