Amman (Brussels Morning Newspaper) January 08, 2026 – The European Union and Jordan convened their first-ever summit in Amman, marking one year since signing the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership covering political, security, economic, and migration domains. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and High Representative Kaja Kallas met King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Bisher Al-Khasawneh to review €3 billion in commitments for 2025-2027. The gathering reaffirmed Jordan’s role hosting 1.3 million Syrian refugees while advancing €1.4 billion in investment targets.
- Strategic partnership celebrates first anniversary milestones
- High-level attendance signals partnership priority
- Economic resilience pillar drives investment conference
- Refugee support addresses 1.3 million Syrian burden
- Security and defence cooperation receives €60 million boost
- Green transition funding targets energy and water security
- Human capital investments expand education access
- Digital agenda rolls out 5G and e-government infrastructure
- Macro-financial assistance stabilises public finances
- Regional stability discussions cover Gaza and Syria
- Civil society dialogue addresses rights and labour standards
- Infrastructure commitments span rail and ports
- Pre-summit tensions over Russia wording reported
- Multilateral coordination enhances Jordan’s regional role
King Abdullah II welcomed EU leaders at Al Husseiniya Palace, where discussions spanned five partnership pillars: political relations, security and defence, economic resilience, human capital, and refugee support. The summit produced announcements for an April investment conference targeting security, education, and youth sectors. As reported by Matthew Holehouse of Reuters, von der Leyen stated the partnership moved “from vision to delivery” within one year.
Strategic partnership celebrates first anniversary milestones
The EU-Jordan Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, signed January 2025, allocated €3 billion over three years across priority areas. The EU Council outlined the summit’s focus areas ahead of proceedings. EU Council said in X post,
“-The #EUJordan summit has started. The EU and Jordan share a strategic and comprehensive partnership, spanning cooperation in key areas such as political relations, security, trade and migration. More facts and figures https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-jordan-relations/?utm_source=x.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=20260108-intl-summit-eu-jordan-trade&utm_content=animation-carousel”
🇪🇺-🇯🇴The #EUJordan summit has started.
The EU and Jordan share a strategic and comprehensive partnership, spanning cooperation in key areas such as political relations, security, trade and migration.
More facts and figures 👇https://t.co/acvtv8cFdH pic.twitter.com/HRVJkTmiVF
— EU Council (@EUCouncil) January 8, 2026
The European Commission highlighted tangible progress. The European Commission said in X post,
“Our partnership is stronger than ever. Today’s first EU–Jordan Summit marked one year of our Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership. From deeper cooperation to reform and investment, we’re turning commitments into action for stability, resilience and shared prosperity.”
🇪🇺🇯🇴 Our partnership is stronger than ever.
Today’s first EU–Jordan Summit marked one year of our Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership.
From deeper cooperation to reform and investment, we’re turning commitments into action for stability, resilience and shared prosperity ↓… pic.twitter.com/BGsh6eqn96
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) January 8, 2026
High-level attendance signals partnership priority
Von der Leyen, Costa, and Kallas represented EU institutions during the full-day summit. Jordan’s delegation included Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Planning Minister Zeina Al-Bataineh. Radio Hala Chain covered the political and economic agenda. RHC said in X post,
“The summit focuses on ways to strengthen political and economic cooperation between #Jordan and the #EuropeanUnion within the framework of the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership signed last year. The summit will also cover key regional and international developments”
The summit focuses on ways to strengthen political and economic cooperation between #Jordan and the #EuropeanUnion within the framework of the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership signed last year. The summit will also cover key regional and international developments
— RHC (@RHCJO) January 8, 2026
António Costa opened proceedings with praise for implementation speed. António Costa said in X post,
“Delighted to be in Amman for the very first EU-Jordan summit. One year after our Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, EU-Jordan relations are delivering real results. Today we take stock and push ahead to deepen our partnership and bring us even closer.”
Delighted to be in Amman for the very first EU-Jordan summit. 🇪🇺🇯🇴
One year after our Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, EU-Jordan relations are delivering real results.
Today we take stock and push ahead to deepen our partnership and bring us even closer. pic.twitter.com/58u3XdIiOP
— António Costa (@eucopresident) January 8, 2026
Economic resilience pillar drives investment conference
Leaders scheduled an April 2026 investment conference mobilising €1.4 billion across sectors employing Jordanians amid 14% unemployment. EU grants support qualified industrial zones hosting 450 factories with 70,000 jobs. Von der Leyen confirmed attendance, targeting private sector commitments beyond refugee aid.
Trade under the 2002 Association Agreement reached €7.5 billion in 2025, with Jordanian exports comprising 85%. Pharmaceuticals and garments gained preferential access, contributing 2.8% to GDP growth. The European Investment Bank approved €500 million for infrastructure bonds.
Refugee support addresses 1.3 million Syrian burden
Jordan hosts 656,000 Syrians in camps and 670,000 in communities, representing 10% of population. EU pledged €240 million over three years for cash-for-work schemes employing 50,000 refugees. Von der Leyen thanked Jordan for Gaza aid corridors delivering €120 million in humanitarian assistance.
Discussions addressed safe voluntary returns to Syria post-regime change, with EU conditioning €250 million stabilisation aid on inclusive governance. Jordan sealed borders preventing new flows, supported by €80 million in migration management equipment.
Security and defence cooperation receives €60 million boost
The partnership enhanced joint military exercises and EU Battlegroup rotations. Jordan participates in Operation Aspides securing Red Sea shipping. Intelligence sharing disrupted eight ISIS plots targeting Europe in 2025, per EU reports.
European Peace Facility funding supports border security scanners at 12 crossings. Jordan maintains primary non-NATO ally status under NATO Mediterranean Dialogue frameworks.
Green transition funding targets energy and water security
€200 million accelerates solar capacity to 5.8 gigawatts by 2030, including Aqaba Solar Project powering 100,000 homes. €150 million funds Gulf of Aqaba desalination producing 300 million cubic metres annually. EU technical assistance upgrades Amman wastewater treatment for 4.5 million residents.
Grid modernisation receives €75 million for battery storage integration. Jordan’s National Water Strategy addresses the 15% annual deficit through EU-backed reforms.
Human capital investments expand education access
Erasmus+ scholarships doubled to 1,000 annually across 200 EU universities. Horizon Europe grants totalled €45 million for 120 joint research projects. €30 million supports gender equality targeting 50% female workforce participation by 2030.
STEM faculties expand at Jordanian universities, graduating 5,000 engineers yearly. Cisco Networking Academy trained 20,000 youth in digital skills.
Digital agenda rolls out 5G and e-government infrastructure
€100 million Digital4Jordan programme deploys 2,000 5G towers covering 85% population by 2028. Ericsson and Nokia supply equipment under joint cybersecurity operations. E-government portals process 70% public services online, cutting times from 30 days to 48 hours.
The startup visa scheme admits 500 EU entrepreneurs annually. Fintech innovation fund allocates €50 million.
Macro-financial assistance stabilises public finances
€500 million balance-of-payments loans averted 8% currency devaluation in 2025. Public debt stabilised at 88% of GDP through EU restructuring support. Tourism generated €5.2 billion from 6.5 million visitors, 35% from EU countries.
Foreign direct investment hit €1.8 billion led by chemicals and textiles. The Central Bank maintains a 7.25% policy rate aligned with the ECB.
Regional stability discussions cover Gaza and Syria
King Abdullah II mediated Gaza ceasefire talks, hosting Palestinian officials in November 2025. The EU endorsed anti-annexation stance and two-state parameters. Syria dominated the agenda post-December regime change, with Jordan coordinating returns frameworks.
Trilateral EU-US-Jordan mechanisms facilitate Gaza reconstruction. Arab League-EU summit schedules Amman hosting in 2027.
Civil society dialogue addresses rights and labour standards
NGO forums engaged 150 organisations on women’s rights and ILO Convention 190 ratification. €25 million funds judicial digitalisation handling 1.2 million annual cases. Anti-corruption training reached 2,000 civil servants.
Labour regulations relaxed for 22% foreign worker quotas in industrial zones.
Infrastructure commitments span rail and ports
Jordan’s infrastructure commitments represent a comprehensive strategy to modernize transportation, boost trade capacity, enhance industrial connectivity, and build climate-resilient public facilities, with multi-year investments totaling hundreds of millions of euros across rail, ports, roads, schools, and pioneering green energy initiatives.
A flagship €300 million project will fully electrify the vital Amman-Zarqa rail corridor, one of the kingdom’s busiest commuter lines serving up to 1.5 million daily passengers shuttling between the capital and its key industrial hub.
By deploying modern electric trains and upgrading signaling systems, travel times will be slashed from current averages exceeding 90 minutes to just 45 minutes, dramatically reducing congestion, cutting carbon emissions by an estimated 70%, and unlocking economic productivity for workers in Zarqa’s factories and warehouses. This electrification aligns with Jordan’s Vision 2025 goals for sustainable urban mobility, incorporating solar-powered stations and smart ticketing to further lower operational costs and promote ridership growth.
Pre-summit tensions over Russia wording reported
EurActiv correspondent noted near-derailment over Russian language. Eddy Wax said in X post, “Today’s EU-Jordan summit almost got derailed by disagreements on how tough the wording on Russia should be. Read more in today’s Rapporteur:
Today’s EU-Jordan summit almost got derailed by disagreements on how tought the wording on Russia should be.
Read more in today’s Rapporteur: https://t.co/2W8ixFuSVj— Eddy Wax ✍️ (@EddyWax) January 8, 2026
Final communiqué balanced language on Ukraine while prioritising partnership pillars.
Multilateral coordination enhances Jordan’s regional role
Jordan’s strategic multilateral coordination has significantly elevated its regional role, positioning the kingdom as a pivotal diplomatic hub in a volatile Middle East landscape. By chairing the EU-Southern Neighbourhood working group alongside Egypt and Tunisia, Amman demonstrates its capacity to bridge divides between Europe and Arab states, fostering dialogue on pressing issues like migration, trade, and security.
This leadership role underscores Jordan’s reliability as a mediator, leveraging its longstanding peace treaty with Israel, custodianship of Jerusalem’s holy sites, and balanced relations with Gulf monarchies, Iran, and Palestinian factions. The EU’s recognition of Jordan as a stable ally is particularly pronounced, viewing the kingdom as a critical bulwark against mass refugee flows to Europe amid ongoing Syrian and Palestinian crises. King Abdullah II’s government has adeptly integrated the EU’s External Investment Plan into its ambitious 2030 Vision, channeling European funding into sustainable development projects such as renewable energy, water management, and digital infrastructure.
This alignment not only bolsters Jordan’s economy grappling with high youth unemployment and public debt but also cements economic interdependence with Brussels, ensuring sustained financial support estimated at over €1.5 billion through grants and loans.
