Jordan Daily – Planning Minister Zeina Touqan and European Commission Director General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Gert Jan Koopman discussed enhanced cooperation on Tuesday, culminating in the signing of two grant agreements worth a total of €25 million.
Touqan announced that the first grant, valued at €15 million, will support a project aimed at boosting technical and vocational training for young Jordanians. The German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) will oversee the project, working with Jordanian authorities to provide vocational and technical scholarships, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The second grant, amounting to €10 million, is designated for a project to enhance sustainable cultural heritage and strengthen the tourism sector. The initiative aims to improve livelihoods in local communities, with a particular focus on women, youth, and vulnerable groups, while protecting archaeological sites. It will foster cooperation between civil society organizations, the private sector, and relevant institutions in preserving sustainable tourism heritage.
Touqan highlighted the EU’s role as a key development partner, supporting Jordan’s development and reform priorities. The discussions with Koopman also covered the progress of the European aid program for Jordan and the cooperation plans for 2024-2027, encompassing sectors such as education, vocational training, tourism, public sector reform, green transformation, social protection, waste management, and water and sanitation.
