Ajloun, July 19 (Petra) -- Ajloun Municipal Committee Chairman Mohammad Al-Bashabsheh and European Union Ambassador to Jordan Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas discussed on Sunday ways to enhance cooperation to achieve sustainable development through joint programs and development projects.

Al-Bashabsheh emphasized that Ajloun receives royal attention, highlighted by the cable car project, which has served as an economic and tourism catalyst, attracting thousands of visitors to the governorate's natural landscapes and historic heritage.

During the meeting, Al-Bashabsheh outlined several projects the municipality aims to implement through partnerships with donors. Foremost among these is the construction of a green, accessible municipal headquarters to consolidate services and reduce administrative fragmentation.

He also presented a project to construct a direct road connecting Our Lady of the Mountain Church in Anjara with the Saint Elijah (Mar Elias) Church as a dedicated tourist trail. He noted the importance of upgrading the governorate’s infrastructure, including resurfacing, paving, and afforesting the main road leading to the Ajloun Castle.

Al-Bashabsheh stated that Ajloun possesses untapped historic sites, such as the ancient Roman vaults beneath the city center, calling for their development into a tourist trail alongside the rehabilitation of the old souk and downtown area while preserving its architectural heritage.

He stressed the need to establish an industrial zone to relocate workshops away from the city center, support the ongoing rehabilitation of natural water springs, develop an eco-park, accelerate the municipality's digital transformation, and expand its vehicle fleet to keep pace with urban expansion.

For his part, Ambassador Chatzisavas affirmed the European Union's continued commitment to supporting projects executed in cooperation with municipalities across Jordan, emphasizing the importance of expanding partnerships with local authorities outside the capital, Amman.

The ambassador highlighted the EU's active partnership with local councils, particularly the Greater Ajloun Municipality through the Madad 2 project between 2021 and 2024. The initiative supported the women's empowerment unit, trained 400 women, and provided micro-grants to help secure employment opportunities and improve household incomes.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Al-Bashabsheh presented the EU ambassador with an honorary plaque on behalf of the municipality in recognition of the EU's role in implementing joint development programs.

//Petra// AF