Jordan

EU and Jordan

Relations between the EU and Jordan are based on the Association Agreement, which entered into force in May 2002.

The EU-Jordan Partnership Priorities adopted at the EU-Jordan Association Council in June 2022 guide the relationship for the period 2021-2027 to further deepen dialogue and cooperation around three priorities:

• Strengthening cooperation on regional stability and security, including counter-terrorism;
• Promoting sustainable economic stability, a green deal, inclusive and knowledge-based growth, quality education and decent job creation;

Strengthening good governance, the rule of law, democratic reform and respect for human rights 

EU-Jordan Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership

On 29 January 2025, the EU and Jordan have signed a Joint Declaration launching a new Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership to better tackle common challenges, and advance shared values of peace, democracy and human rights. The Partnership builds in the advanced EU-Jordan cooperation and the Association Agreement that entered into force in 2002. 

The Partnership covers 5 key joint priorities:

• Political relations and regional cooperation;
• Security and defence; 
• Economic resilience, trade and investment; 
• Human capital; 
• Migration, protection of and support to refugees.

To support the Partnership, the EU provides a financial package of €3 billion for 2024-2025, consisting of:

• €640 million in grants
• Around €1.5 billion of additional investments
• €1 billion in concessional loans (macro-financial assistance)

Bilateral cooperation

On 9 February 2021, the European Commission adopted a Joint Communication on the renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood, establishing a new Agenda for the Mediterranean to relaunch and reinforce the EU’s partnership with the region. This is the basis of the current cooperation framework between the EU and Jordan.

EU assistance to Jordan is funded mainly through the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI-GE) for the period 2021-2027.  Bilateral assistance follows multiannual programming. Under NDICI, the priority areas for EU assistance have been set down in the Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for the period 2021-2027, guided by the Partnership Priorities agreed between the EU and Jordan.

The MIP focuses on the following three priority sectors: 

• Good governance (democratic reforms, rule of law & security, accountability & effective administration);
• Support to green transition and to a resilient economy (green economy & energy-water-food nexus, private sector development);
• Support to human development (education & higher education, social protection, employability). 

From 2021 to 2024, bilateral assistance to the country amounted to €377 million.

The Joint Communication on the renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood is accompanied by a Economic and Investment Plan for the Southern Neighbourhood (EIP) to strengthen resilience and build prosperity in the region. The EIP implements the Global Gateway in the region. EIP projects implemented in Jordan include:   

• Green Economy, supporting sustainable and efficient production and consumption patterns in the industrial sector and establishing the Marine Park Research Centre in Aqaba
• Aqaba-Amman water desalination and conveyance, building a desalination plant in the Gulf of Aqaba, in the Red Sea, which will distribute 300 million m3 of desalinated water every year all over Jordan
• Al Ghabawi wastewater treatment plant, helping to manage water resources sustainably and piloting innovative solutions to re-use treated wastewater for irrigation purposes

More on EU-Jordan relations: Factograph - EU-Jordan relations - English

Syrian refugee crisis

Between 2017 and 2024, the European Union has organised eight Brussels Conferences on “Supporting the future of Syria and the region”. During these conferences, the EU and the international community have continuously renewed their support to the critical efforts the Jordanian government and citizens are undertaking in response to the crisis. Since 2011, the EU has committed more than €4 billion for the response to the Syrian crisis in Jordan.

The EU will organise the 9^th edition of the Brussels Conference on 17 March 2025 to support an inclusive transition in Syria. The event will be instrumental in mobilising funds from the international community to address the immediate needs of all Syrian people, including in the neighbouring countries, to support Syria’s recovery and first steps towards reconstruction.

More on EU support in response to the Syrian crisis on Jordan: Factsheet - Responding to the Syrian Crisis: EU support in Jordan - English

Further information

Factsheets available to download