Following the presentation of the Pact for the Mediterranean last November, President Ursula von der Leyen visited the Middle East, traveling to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon to reinforce cooperation with those countries and with the wider region.
On Thursday, the Commission President, together with European Council President António Costa, landed in Amman, Jordan. The two Presidents met King Abdullah II for the first EU-Jordan Summit, which builds on the bilateral Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership launched last year.
During the summit, President von der Leyen accepted the King's invitation to participate in the upcoming EU-Jordan Investment Conference and underlined the economic partnership between both sides, underpinned by €3 billion for 2025-2027.
The President also highlighted Jordan's role as an actor of regional stability and solidarity saying: "You have facilitated the delivery of life-saving aid, in particular to the people of Gaza. Here, we really want to thank you. And you have hosted millions of refugees, especially from Syria as well. The aid for refugees from Syria, with a total of €240 million over three years which we had agreed on, may support your efforts."
The following day, Presidents von der Leyen and Costa travelled to Damascus and met President Ahmed al-Sharaa. This was the first visit since the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad. President von der Leyen reflected on the country's turning point as she said: "It is now one year ago that decades of fear, silence and state violence finally began to give way to hope, opportunity and the possibility of renewal. We know that the path to reconciliation and recovery remain difficult and long. Because healing, rebuilding lives and creating trust in institutions takes time. We are here today to work with you for Syria and for all Syrians."
President von der Leyen expressed the EU's will to launch a new political partnership between the EU and Syria, starting with a High-Level Dialogue in the first semester of the year. The renewed engagement will also enable Syria to start benefitting again from access to the European economic market.
The President emphasised that the EU wants to support Syria as it works on its reconstruction and recovery. She announced financial support of €620 million for 2026 and 2027. "This whole package is necessary to support the government in restoring the essential services for the population and to rebuild state institutions. We are committed to supporting you in reviving Syria's economy and bringing communities back together. We would like Syrians to have a real prospect of coming back home and rebuilding their lives here," she said.
Finally, President von der Leyen and President Costa visited Beirut, where they met President Joseph Aoun. President von der Leyen emphasised the EU and Lebanon's strong partnership, which includes financial support as well as cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Speaking of the current security situation in Lebanon, the President said: "We also agree that it is crucial that the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel is fully respected by all parties. Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity has to be upheld. And it is paramount to ensure that Hezbollah is fully disarmed."
