Islamabad, In the latest round of political dialogue between Pakistan and the European Union, both parties have called for strengthened cooperation to navigate the complexities of the current geopolitical environment. The ninth session of the Pakistan-EU Political Dialogue, which took place in Islamabad, emphasized the broad spectrum of bilateral relations and mutual interests, ranging from trade to climate action.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Pakistani delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, while the EU delegation was headed by Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service, Enrique Mora. The dialogue covered a wide array of topics under the Pakistan-EU bilateral relationship, including the Strategic Engagement Plan, trade and development cooperation, security, climate action, migration, and mobility.
Both sides highlighted the significance of their relationship and agreed that regular high-level interactions have injected new vitality into their partnership. They also acknowledged the necessity for closer cooperation and continuous dialogue to effectively address the challenges posed by the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
Furthermore, the Foreign Secretary pointed to the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus as a successful model of trade and development that has benefited both parties. He emphasized the need to engage more deeply with key stakeholders on both sides to diversify and sustain the trade relationship between Pakistan and the European Union. Additionally, there was mutual agreement to explore new opportunities under the EU’s flagship programs, such as the Global Gateway Strategy and Horizon Europe, aiming to broaden the scope of their cooperation.
This dialogue underscores a mutual recognition of the importance of Pakistan-EU relations and a shared commitment to enhancing collaboration across a variety of sectors. As the international political and economic landscapes evolve, both parties seem poised to adapt and strengthen their partnership for mutual benefit.