ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to transform their relationship into a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership, as announced during the 8th session of the Pakistan-EU strategic dialogue held in Islamabad. This session was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas.
According to Radio Pakistan, both sides reviewed progress on the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan 2019, which covers cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, human rights, and security. The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the significance of the European Union as one of Pakistan’s leading trade partners, with a trade volume reaching approximately twelve billion Euros. The discussions also focused on enhancing bilateral trade and investment ties, with both parties welcoming the establishment of the Pakistan-EU Business Forum earlier this year.
Deputy Prime Minister Dar emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to engaging constructively with the EU and its member states. The dialogue included exchanges on pressing regional and global issues, including the US-Iran conflict and security concerns in South Asia and the Middle East. Dar reiterated Pakistan’s position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and discussed water rights under the Indus Water Treaty, referencing a recent Court of Arbitration decision favoring Pakistan.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas acknowledged Pakistan’s role as a major regional power and an essential partner for the EU. She noted the strong momentum in trade relations, highlighting Pakistan as the largest beneficiary of the EU’s GSP+ trade preferences. Kallas also recognized Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in mediating between the United States and Iran, which have been instrumental in preventing escalations in regional conflicts. She mentioned ongoing cooperation on issues such as climate resilience and digital infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of people-to-people links in strengthening the partnership.