Pakistan and the EU are committed to strengthening trade and investment ties through the GSP Plus programme

• The meeting reviewed the entire spectrum of Pakistan-EU relations, says FO.
• Discussions covered South Asia, Afghanistan, the Middle East.
• Dar also meets different leaders on the sidelines of the ministerial forum.
  

Pakistan and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to a broad, multidimensional and long-term partnership anchored on shared values, the United Nations Charter, multilateralism and the principles of mutual respect and cooperation, the Foreign Office said in a statement on Saturday.

The decision came as Pakistan and the EU convened the seventh Strategic Dialogue, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and EU High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas in Brussels.

According to a statement issued by the FO, the meeting provided a comprehensive review of the full spectrum of Pakistan-EU relations, building on the positive momentum of recent high-level engagements and ongoing institutional interactions.

Both sides, the FO said, underlined the importance of further deepening trade and investment ties, including through the EU’s GSP+ agreement, as a driver for sustainable growth, export diversification, job creation and mutually beneficial economic opportunities.

“The Dialogue also provided an opportunity to exchange views on regional and global developments, including South Asia, Afghanistan, the Middle East and wider geopolitical developments,” the statement said.

The FO said Pakistan and the EU sides underlined the importance of coordinated approaches to peace, stability, sustainable development and global challenges such as climate change and connectivity.

“They agreed to strengthen cooperation under the Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP 2019), advance work on continuous dialogues and identify concrete avenues for expanding cooperation in the coming years.”

According to the FO, Dar also interacted with different leaders on the sidelines of the 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Brussels.

He had a “constructive” exchange with Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdusalam Abdi Ali and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepen cooperation and support regional stability, a Foreign Office spokesman said in a separate statement.

Dar also interacted with Ambassador Andrea Orizio, Head of Delegation for Italy, as the discussion covered strengthening Pakistan-Italy ties, enhancing economic engagement and cooperation in wider Pakistan-EU contexts.

He also met Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel as they agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation on trade, connectivity and climate resilience.

They stressed the importance of staying in regular contact, including through multilateral platforms, to further advance common priorities, the FO said.