good afternoon to all,
It is a pleasure to be in Jordan today – a key and strategic partner for the European Union. We see Jordan as a pillar of stability in the region.
From hosting refugees to fostering regional dialogue, your leadership is extraordinary – and we deeply value it.
Our partnership is built on decades of cooperation, shared values and interests. In these challenging times, it is more vital than ever.
Today, I am here to reaffirm our commitment to stand with Jordan.
This morning, I met with Prime Minister Hassan, and we had an excellent discussion on EU-Jordan partnership and our shared priorities.
And I am looking forward to meet with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince this afternoon.
In January last year we were very ambitious when we signed our Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership in Brussels together, dear Zeina, and today I am very proud to say that we are delivering on that ambition.
This January, we confirmed the strength of our partnership at the first EU–Jordan Summit in Amman.
Now we are implementing.
Today, we have signed three new Financing Agreements worth EUR 135 million:
On security and defence, EUR 25 million Financing Agreement on Integrated Border Management and Internal Security.
This will strengthen our cooperation on border governance, internal security, and tackling cross-border threats.
I am proud to announce that we will invest 30 million on Human Capital Development. Today I had the pleasure of inaugurating a Secondary School here.
This shows our continued commitment to education, youth, skills, and long-term resilience. And it will continue to grow under the Pact for the Mediterranean.
On migration, protection, and support to refugees we signed an additional EUR 80 million underlining our continued solidarity with Jordan's efforts. Later today I will visit a UNCHR Registration centre for Syrian refugees.
In addition to the EUR 135 million, on the digital sector, together with the EBRD, today we also agreed on a loan of up to EUR 12.3 million to expand the data centre capacity of the Aqaba Digital Hub.
This Hub is a strong example of EU–Jordan tech and connectivity cooperation.
We are also finalising the discussions on the Multi Sector Budget Support worth EUR 110 million. This will improve the business environment, attract investment, and connect people's skills to labour market needs
Finally, we hope to conclude the discussions on the new EUR 500 million Macro financial Financial Assistance package.
All of this is public financing but we also need to leverage on the private funding.
This year, we aim to organise the first EU–Jordan Investment Conference with European and Jordanian businesses. We want to create tangible investment opportunities.
As you know, the conference was postponed due to developments in the region. Nevertheless, we are determined to promote European private sector engagement.
Jordan has all the necessary attributes to become a regional hub for investment, connectivity, and innovation.
The potential is clear, and the EU is committed to unlock it.
Let me address support to refugees. For over a decade, this country has shouldered an immense responsibility. Jordan's role in hosting and providing basic services to refugees is extraordinary.
The EU does not take this for granted.
Over almost a decade, the EU has remained the most predictable and reliable donor in response to the Syrian refugee crisis, with total commitments just in Jordan exceeding EUR 600 million.
We are currently preparing the Special Measure package for 2026–2027, amounting to EUR 160 million, in support of refugees and host communities ensuring access to basic services – health and education.
We are committed to supporting recovery and reconstruction efforts also in Syria itself, where Jordan can play a meaningful role.
But our partnership isn't only about addressing today's challenges.
Together, we are shaping a future that is more resilient, more connected, and more prosperous – for Jordan, for the EU, and for the wider region.
Last month, we launched the first Action Plan of the Pact for the Mediterranean – and Jordan played a substantive role in shaping it.
This is our shared ambition: to bring the EU and Jordan closer than ever before and to deliver tangible benefits for our citizens.
