Ammon News - **This interview was presented by Samir Al Hyari, with production by Ahmad Al Hyari and Rahaf Noghai.

The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Jordan Pierre-Christophe confirmed that the relations between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the European Union have been very, very strong over the years, noting that its a relationship that is based on common values, shared values. But also shared objectives at international and at regional level.

In an interview on the "Zero Distance" program with Samir Al Hyari on Radio Noon and Ammon New, Christophe said that that Jordan and the European Union are good neighbors in a difficult region.

He added that the summit between Jordan and the European Union, which was held last Thursday, inaugurated a new platform, a new channel of conversation between the EU and Jordan, and he described the summit as different from an ordinary leaders meeting, because leaders meet all the time.

"The diplomatic engagement, the diplomatic relations between Jordan and the European Union are intense. We work together very, very closely at all levels. But a summit meeting is different in the sense that we bring to Jordan two presidents. Those presidents are mandated. They have a mission to carry out on behalf of others, on behalf of all leaders of the European Union. So they do represent the 27 leaders of the European Union, and come to deliver a message to Jordan. To receive a message from Jordan and relate to the rest of the EU. And we agree on a set of common positions on a number of files such as foreign policy issues from Gaza to Syria and Lebanon" the Ambassador stated.

He confirmed that Jordan and the EU also agreed on the set of common objectives for bilateral relations. So what has been discussed last week at the level of our leaders will guide us.

The Ambassador also added that the summit is a roadmap for the next two years till the next summit meeting that is going to take place in 2028 in Brussels.

Regarding the package of 3 billion euros, His excellency noted that the commitment to this support package of 3 billion euros was already announced January last year, saying: "At the summit last week we reviewed the implementation of this support package. And the main message at the summit last week was to say implementation is well on track. What needed to be delivered in terms of macro financial assistance, soft loan and grants is being delivered to Jordan."

"And then almost half of the EUR 3 billion support package is to be delivered in the form of investment, foreign direct investment, private and public. And to leverage this foreign investment, the investment of the EU, we have some work to do on both sides. Jordan, on its side, needs to continue and advance reforms," he continued.

"It needs also to offer a level playing field to European investors coming from Europe to invest in Jordan. Jordan needs also to offer business cases and investment opportunities that are profitable to attract our investors. And on our side, on the side of the EU, we need to guarantee, to facilitate investment."

The Ambassador added: "We need also to raise awareness among our investors about the unique added value advantage of Jordan as a stable country, as a country that does not experience inflation, that does not experience corruption issues, as a country that is safe for environment. So on both sides, we need to work and make sure that we deliver on our respective tasks. And most importantly, last week we announced at the summit an investment conference."

He also confirmed that Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, announced that she will come back to Jordan within the next three months. In fact, late April, she will be back to Amman and she will participate in person in the investment conference, in the EU-Jordan investment conference at the Dead Sea. And she will hopefully bring as many European investors as possible.

He also stressed that investment opportunities exist in Jordan, and EU wants to market them, which they do reflect the political and geopolitical priorities, adding: "It's about energy, it's about digital, it's about connectivity, it's about water. And there is no shortage of concrete examples and business opportunities that we can reflect during this important investment conference."

Ambassador Pierre-Christophe confirmed that there will not be a political revision for this EU support to Jordan, as the objective has been set in January. And we are working on delivering on those objectives. So it's not subject to a review or pending additional conditions.

"We have taken the commitment to deliver up to 3 billion euros to Jordan within the next three years and we are working on that. I want also to signal the fact that this political commitment has been taken at the level of EU institutions. Which means that EU member states individually as they work bilaterally with Jordan will deliver support on top of the 3 billion euros, Ambassador Christophe said.

"In addition to the 3 billion euros, there are in this support package low-hanging fruits. Things that are easy to deliver like soft loans, like grants. It's business as usual in our relation with Jordan. We have done that for decades and with concrete results. We know that in Jordan we get value for money in terms of cooperation," His excellency stated.

The European Union Ambassador to Jordan said that investments in Jordan are profitable because institutions are solid, there is a good level of transparency, and corruption or governance issues are limited, noting that such investments change the lives of ordinary citizens.

He explained that what is new in the support package is the emphasis placed on private as well as public investment, stressing that significant hard work is needed to substantially enhance investment levels in Jordan.

He pointed out that the challenges facing Jordan and the EU—particularly climate change, water autonomy, and connectivity—are too great to be addressed by public funding alone, underscoring that leveraging private sector participation is therefore critical and is the core objective of the Investment Forum. The ambassador added that Jordan is unfortunately a victim of its geography, as instability in the Middle East carries a reputational cost for Jordan as it does for the wider region, despite the fact that Jordan is a cornerstone of stability.

He said that this regional reputation makes investors uncomfortable investing in Jordan, explaining that the EU aims to address this reputational prejudice by providing guarantees for European investment, which he said could make a real difference.

The European Union Ambassador to Jordan said that pursuing reforms remains essential in order to demonstrate to private and public lenders that Jordan is addressing institutional challenges and striving to offer a level playing field where European investors can compete alongside local and other international investors, and where they can generate returns. He noted that while the Jordanian market is relatively small, the Kingdom sits at the crossroads of several key markets, including the Gulf and Iraq, and that the reconstruction of Syria is opening new business and investment opportunities.

He said it is therefore no surprise that the agenda of the Investment Conference, scheduled to take place in the second half of April, will focus on showcasing success stories. Among these, he cited the financial closure and launch of the national carrier, the Aqaba–Amman water conveyor, describing it as a mega project. He stressed that demonstrating Jordan’s ability to undertake such ambitious projects sends a very important signal to the global investment community.

The ambassador added that beyond the water sector, energy represents another critical area, noting that Jordan has the potential to become a significant producer of green hydrogen. He said demand for this type of energy will grow in the foreseeable future, particularly in Europe, where many off-takers are expected. He explained that European companies interested in investing in green hydrogen production in Jordan are serious, have solid business plans, and are working on shared infrastructure in Aqaba to export green hydrogen to European markets.

He also highlighted the digital sector, describing the Aqaba Digital Hub as a flagship project in which the European Union is investing. He said efforts are underway to bring additional cables to the hub, including the Blue Raman cable connecting Europe to India through Aqaba, and to expand the hub’s capacity and data centers.

He also stated that digital connectivity, energy, and water will form the core pillars of the Investment Conference, while stressing that the reconstruction of Syria will not be overlooked, as it could open significant business opportunities for the Jordanian private sector and for European investors alike.

The European Union Ambassador to Jordan confirmed that holding an investment conference represents a test case, noting that it will have the effect of galvanizing both the public administration and the private sector. He said that preparations for the conference are currently intensifying, adding that members of the Jordanian government are visibly engaged and highly committed to ensuring its success. He noted that a roadshow will begin in the coming weeks, during which Jordanian officials will visit a number of European capitals with full EU support to raise awareness about investment opportunities in Jordan.

He added that efforts are also underway to modernize the Ministry of Investment, including its platforms and websites designed to attract investors. He said these initiatives aim to provide foreign investors, particularly European investors, with more comprehensive information about market opportunities, taxation, and the regulatory framework. He stressed that the investment conference will demonstrate that Jordan is open for business, has an appropriate ecosystem, and offers profitable business opportunities for European investors. He added that, on the EU side, there is a commitment to accompany and support these preparations, work closely with investors, and provide guarantees for their investments.

The ambassador gave examples of EU support, including extending the capacity of the Aqaba Digital Hub, encouraging investor participation in the energy market, and supporting efforts to develop green hydrogen production in Jordan. He said that the EU guarantees these investments and actively encourages them. He concluded by saying that the decision by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to return to Jordan and personally participate in the investment conference in April sends a very positive signal, reflecting the strength of EU-Jordan relations and the EU’s support for Jordan’s real economy.

The European Union Ambassador to Jordan said that the EU is working to ensure that its investments remain in Jordan and contribute to recruitment and employment, while also pursuing complementary measures. He noted that several projects are dedicated to vocational training, stressing that developing Jordan’s industrial base requires strong vocational training systems.

He explained that within the €300 million education-sector portfolio in Jordan, the EU contributes to building new schools and recruiting teachers, among other initiatives. However, he said that the EU is increasingly focusing on developing vocational training, which he described as a clear reflection of its commitment to helping Jordan strengthen its industrial base and enhance employment levels and job opportunities.

The ambassador said that Jordan, like European economies, cannot rely solely on services and small and medium-sized enterprises. He stressed the need to support the modernization and strengthening of the industrial base, enhance transformation processes, and increase the added value of exported products, including those exported to the European Union. In this context, he emphasized that vocational training is a key dimension.

Returning to the investment conference, the ambassador said it aims to leverage investment in megaprojects in sectors of interest to the EU that can further underpin and strengthen EU-Jordan bilateral relations. He expressed hope that these investments will have a trickle-down effect, helping Jordan reinforce its real economy and industrial base, and increasingly enable the Kingdom to export higher value-added products and services.


The European Union Ambassador to Jordan said that the national megaproject, the Aqaba–Amman water conveyor, has generated massive interest from public banks, donors, and financial institutions. He noted that contributions from EU member states and EU institutions have already exceeded €2 billion, reaching exactly €2.1 billion, demonstrating that the European Union is a significant donor to the project.

He stressed that the EU believes strongly in the project’s added value, particularly in light of Jordan’s demographic growth and the need to diversify water sources. He described the water conveyor as critical and affirmed that the EU will fully support its financial closure and launch, expressing hope that the project will be fully operational by 2030.

The ambassador emphasized that the project goes beyond the construction of the main infrastructure, including the desalination plant, pumps, and pipelines. He explained that significant work is also required on the receiving end, including refurbishing and upgrading infrastructure readiness, such as wastewater treatment, distribution networks, and storage. He added that addressing non-revenue water and reducing water losses represents a third critical component of the sector, noting that the EU is heavily invested across all these segments.

He added that beyond the water conveyor, the EU is currently supporting the establishment of six wastewater treatment plants across the Kingdom, from Ramtha in the north to Madaba. He said this support reflects a long legacy of cooperation with the Ministry of Water, noting that the EU has also contributed significantly to the operationalization of the Disi (DZ) water source, including the construction of a solar plant to enable it to become a main source of fossil and fresh water.

The Ambassador said that the water sector has long been, for obvious reasons, a priority area for EU engagement, describing it as a critical need for Jordan and a sector in which the European Union remains deeply involved.

Ambassador Christophe pointed out that the EU and Jordan are neighbors and good neighbors, stressing that what is good for Jordan is also good for the European Union. He said the EU believes that a stronger Europe, one that offers stability to its immediate neighborhood from the Western Balkans to the Southern Mediterranean, is likewise beneficial for Jordan. He added that the backbone of the EU-Jordan partnership is their shared commitment to international law.

He said that from Palestine to Ukraine, the EU and Jordan stand on the same side, noting that the EU highly values its partnership with Jordan as a cornerstone of stability in a difficult region. He added that the two sides work closely together at different levels within multilateral fora.

The ambassador said that cooperation also takes place intensively at the bilateral level to maintain stability, noting that it is no surprise that security and defense represent the fastest-growing strand of cooperation between the EU and Jordan. He said that during the summit, a joint declaration was issued placing particular emphasis on security and defense.

He explained that the EU is currently working to address critical needs and respond to concrete requests from the Jordan Armed Forces, noting that one of the most recent decisions was the allocation of €35 million to support the acquisition of a top-notch air defense system. He added that this cooperation will continue moving forward.

The ambassador noted that military cooperation is one pillar of the partnership, alongside cooperation in counterterrorism and efforts to combat drug trafficking. He concluded by saying that the EU values not only its shared political commitment with Jordan to international law, but also the fact that both sides stand together on a number of concrete and operational issues that are directly relevant to Jordan’s stability and, consequently, to the stability of the European Union.

The Ambassador also highlighted that that EU does not hold summits with anybody, confirming that they hold summits with partners and international actors that are relevant, so holding a summit with Jordan is an acknowledgement of the importance we give to Jordan. We hold summits with the US, with China, Canada, Japan, the UK, Latin America as a group, South Africa, India. And in the Mediterranean region, we hold summits only with Egypt and Jordan.

"So it tells a lot about the importance of Jordan and how much we value Jordan as a partner for peace in the region. So it's not that there is something new in this relationship, but it's something that we want to value, especially at this point in time. So what is the new context, It's the unravelling of international law," he said

It's the threat posed to a world that is based on rules. And it's extremely concerning to see those who are supposed to guarantee a rules-based international order, the P5, the permanent members of the Security Council, threatening or invading their neighbours. So the unravelling of the international system, of international law, forces us to look for partners to protect and advance international law in the Middle East, but also elsewhere.

The European Union Ambassador to Jordan stressed that the EU does not apply political conditions in the way suggested, noting that the $3 billion support package does not come with a price tag and that the EU does not dictate to Jordan, as a sovereign state, its positions on international issues. He emphasized that the support is not transactional, while acknowledging that greater alignment strengthens the overall relationship.

He clarified that there will be no review of the $3 billion support package, underscoring that the EU has committed to this support and will deliver on it. He affirmed that the EU intends to translate its commitments into concrete action.

Addressing the issue of flexibility, he explained that within the $3 billion package, $1 billion is allocated as macro-financial assistance in the form of a soft loan. He noted that this loan carries long-term maturity and highly favorable conditions unmatched in the international financial arena.

H underscored that these terms reflect the depth of the EU’s appreciation of its relationship with Jordan and demonstrate how far the EU is willing to go to support Jordan and its economy during challenging times.

The European Union Ambassador to Jordan explained that any financial transfer involves transaction costs, meaning that part of the funds will not reach the final beneficiary, noting that it is legitimate to ask about money spent on what is referred to as indirect costs. He underlined that the EU is making every effort to limit these costs as much as possible.

He outlined that when the EU provides $100 to Jordan, around half is delivered as direct budget support transferred to the treasury, a mechanism that avoids transaction costs. He noted that the remaining funds are channeled through civil society organizations, the United Nations system, partners, and private contractors, and that during the operationalization of aid, some funds are inevitably used for indirect costs. He cited administrative expenses, payrolls, and sustainability needs of civil society organizations and UN agencies as examples, stressing that such costs are necessary to keep these entities functioning.

The ambassador emphasized that spending on studies does not represent a loss to Jordan’s real economy, explaining that megaprojects such as the Aqaba–Amman water conveyor cannot proceed without extensive feasibility, environmental, energy-consumption, and routing studies. He pointed out that these studies ultimately help reduce both project costs and water prices for consumers. Returning to the issue of transaction costs, he affirmed that the EU aims to maximize budget support to the Jordanian government to reduce intermediaries, interest costs, and the share of funds that do not go directly to beneficiaries.

He acknowledged that, in short, this assessment is accurate, adding that the EU can no longer proceed with business as usual or focus solely on the economy within its partnership with Jordan. He noted that this is why security and defense have become the fastest-growing areas of bilateral cooperation.

He recalled that over the years the EU has provided extensive support to the Jordan Armed Forces, the Public Security Directorate, the rule of law, and border security, while stressing that military support now represents the fastest-growing cooperation track. He pointed out that one flagship initiative will be the delivery in 2026 of a top-notch air defense system, including radars and potentially missile effectors in the following year.

The ambassador also highlighted the deployment of more than 100 EU observers during Jordan’s legislative elections in September 2024, describing this as evidence of the transparency, depth, and sincerity of the partnership. He noted that not every country accepts such a large observation mission, saying this reflects the maturity of Jordan’s political system and its confidence in the electoral process.

He said the observers were welcomed across the Kingdom, from the Badia to Aqaba, and were able to verify that the elections were conducted in line with best standards. He added that ongoing dialogue with the Independent Election Commission has continued since then, focusing on implementing concrete technical recommendations.

The ambassador cited this as a strong example of the candid and sincere dialogue between the EU and Jordan on human rights. He noted that similar discussions take place on freedom of expression, women’s rights, and civic space, announcing that the EU’s Special Representative for Human Rights will visit Jordan in the coming weeks.

He also said that while the EU is mindful of the pressures Jordan faces in a challenging regional environment, it deeply appreciates the openness shown by Jordanian authorities, institutions, and civil society organizations. He noted that the inclusion of three paragraphs on human rights, including freedom of expression, in the joint summit statement reflects the intensity, depth, and quality of dialogue between the two sides on sensitive issues.

The Ambassador concluded the interview by highlighting that the EU is a strong, reliable partner to Jordan.

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