Amman: The first Jordan-European Union Summit highlighted the advanced level of strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the EU, emphasizing Jordan's crucial role in promoting regional security and stability while expanding opportunities for political, economic, and development cooperation.
According to Jordan News Agency, the summit, occurring at a critical regional juncture, underscored Jordan's significance as a reliable partner in addressing cross-border challenges, supporting peace efforts, and opening new avenues for investment, technology transfer, and sustainable development.
Security and strategic expert Bashir Al-Dajeh stated that the summit arrived at a sensitive time marked by overlapping regional crises and transnational threats, placing security and defense cooperation at the core of the agenda. He noted Jordan's strategic location as the first line of defense against illegal migration, organized crime, drug and arms smuggling, and cross-border terrorism. Al-Dajeh emphasized that the Kingdom has absorbed more than 3.5 million refugees over the past decade without compromising its security infrastructure, as reported by the United Nations and UNIFIL.
On the impact of Jordanian-European security cooperation on regional stability, Al-Dajeh said Jordan represents the first line of defense against the spread of armed and extremist groups. Effective control of Jordan's borders reduces irregular migration flows to Europe and disrupts drug and arms trafficking networks and terrorist cells.
MP Khaled Abu Hassan highlighted Jordan's foreign policy under His Majesty King Abdullah II, consolidating the Kingdom's influential role at both regional and international levels. He underscored the King's central role in addressing regional issues, notably the Palestinian cause, through firm positions supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
Abu Hassan added that the summit reaffirmed Jordan's solid political standing as a key regional actor with significant influence in shaping Middle East political balances and paving the way toward a just and comprehensive peace. He stressed that achieving peace in the region is closely linked to Jordan's active role, given the Kingdom's credibility and strong international presence. Jordan continues to prioritize regional issues, especially the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution, in international discussions.
Abu Hassan noted that holding the summit at this time reflects the resilience of the Jordanian state and its ability to manage multiple challenges, strengthening Jordan's standing in international forums and reaffirming its pivotal regional role. He also pointed out that the summit's final statement emphasized the economic dimension, announcing a Jordan-EU Economic Conference next April, reflecting international appreciation for Jordan's role.
Economist Mufleh Aql said the high-level summit exemplifies the shared desire to develop and broaden the partnership to include politics, trade, security, and renewable energy. He explained that Jordan stands to benefit from exporting to this massive economic bloc, as well as from technology and knowledge transfer and access to European markets, supporting the national economy and attracting major investments.
Aql noted that Jordan possesses highly qualified human capital that the EU can benefit from, especially amid shortages of skilled technical labor in Europe. This could open job opportunities for Jordanian youth and strengthen bilateral cooperation. He added that Jordan-EU meetings enhance cooperation and the exchange of ideas, contributing to regional peace.
He praised the EU's support for Jordan's positions on regional issues, including the Hashemite custodianship over Jerusalem and challenges related to energy and migration. Aql highlighted that the European Union is the world's second-largest economy, providing Jordan with significant opportunities in exports and imports.
He concluded by noting that Jordan benefits from EU grants and concessional loans and exports agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, and chemical products to Europe, strengthening economic ties and supporting sustainable development in the Kingdom.