Amman, May 7 (Petra) -- Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan and European Union (EU) Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica on Thursday discussed cooperation and priorities for the coming phase, within the framework of the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership signed in 2025 between Jordan and the European Union.

The meeting covered cooperation under the Pact for the Mediterranean Action Plan 2026 and the opportunities it offers to advance joint initiatives in priority areas, in line with Jordan’s economic, political, and administrative modernization tracks.

During the meeting, three grant agreements worth a total of €135 million were signed as part of the European assistance package announced in January 2025.

The agreements include €30 million for the Human Capital Development Program to support technical and vocational education and training and strengthen the participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in the labor market and decision-making.

They also include €25 million for the Integrated Border Management Project to support border management efficiency and enhance digital and technological solutions, in addition to €80 million to support Syrian refugees and ensure the continuity of services provided to them and to host communities.

A JD 10 million financing agreement was also signed for Aqaba Digital Hub, provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, with support from the European Commission. The project aims to develop Aqaba’s digital infrastructure, expand the data center, and launch the Aqaba Digital Academy to train youth and women in information technology and cybersecurity.

Toukan said the project is important for strengthening Jordan’s position as a regional hub for technology and innovation, supporting the digital economy, and creating new job opportunities.

Suica said the partnership with Jordan is delivering tangible results that contribute to growth and employment, commending Jordan’s role in supporting regional stability.

According to a Ministry of Planning statement, the two sides are preparing to sign two additional EU grant agreements worth a total of €173 million in the coming period. The first, worth €110 million, will provide multi-sector support through the general budget to contribute to comprehensive economic and social modernization. The second, worth €63 million, will target priority areas including investment, private sector development, support for public-private partnership projects, public sector modernization, and development of the digital ecosystem.

Toukan stressed the importance of Jordan’s relations with the EU as a key partner, noting progress in implementing the strategic and comprehensive partnership signed in 2025.

She said the signed financing agreements focus on human capital development, particularly for youth and women, strengthening social protection, and supporting digital infrastructure in a way that helps create opportunities for growth and employment.

Toukan praised the EU and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for supporting the Aqaba Digital Hub project and its role in advancing digital transformation and strengthening Jordan’s position as a regional hub for technology and innovation.

For her part, Suica said the EU values Jordan’s pivotal role in promoting regional stability, noting that the strategic partnership between the two sides has begun producing tangible results that affect citizens’ lives.

She added that the signed agreements will promote investment, strengthen economic ties, and create new opportunities for growth and employment, stressing that the Mediterranean Pact will serve as a framework for advancing future cooperation and building a more connected and prosperous region.

//Petra// AO