Jordan and the European Union held a high-level summit in Amman on Thursday that was attended by King Abdullah II, European Council President Antonio Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
King Abdullah wrote on social media that the first Jordan-EU summit was “a major step in advancing our strategic partnership and unleashing new avenues for co-operation”.
Jordan and the EU said they “stand firmly committed to unlocking their trade and bilateral relations, and to enhancing their bilateral co-operation to unleash the full potential of the Free Trade Area of the Association Agreement”.
They have agreed to explore how Jordanian companies could make better use of the simplified Rules of Origin Scheme to support the kingdom in the context of the large refugee population it hosts, while continuing to work on building their export capacity and competitiveness.
The EU commended Jordan’s sustained efforts in hosting millions of refugees and its commitment to ensuring their dignified living conditions and access to basic services.
“We remain steadfastly committed to supporting Palestinian refugees in Jordan. We reiterate the essential role of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in providing vital services,” the EU said.
They said that they would continue to work together on security co-operation, border management, countering organised crime and all forms of smuggling and trafficking, including through enhancing co-operation with EU agencies.
“We remain committed to countering terrorism and preventing radicalisation and violent extremism, including through the Global Coalition against [ISIS], the Global Counter-terrorism Forum and the Aqaba Process on counter terrorism and violent extremism,” they said.
They also agreed to launch the first EU-Jordan Security and Defence Dialogue in Amman this year, and to advance EU support to Jordanian Armed Forces under the European Peace Facility and future Jordanian engagement under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy.
The statement said the EU was putting forward a support package of €3 billion ($3.5 billion) for Jordan, as announced in January last year.
On the region, they repeated that the only path to a just, lasting and comprehensive resolution of the conflict in the Middle East is the two-state solution, with the State of Israel and a sovereign viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace, security, and mutual recognition.
The two sides expressed support for Lebanon's stability and for the fundamental role played by the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL.
“We reiterate the need to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity and call on all parties to fully implement the Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement of November 2024,” they said.
They also said they will continue working together to support of a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned transition, free from harmful foreign interference, with the aim to ensure Syria’s unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and the safety and prosperity of its people.
They agreed to hold their next EU-Jordan summit in Brussels in 2028.
