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