New York: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing its broad-based partnership with the European Union and fully implementing the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan. The announcement came during discussions with President of the European Council Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

According to Radio Pakistan, the leaders reviewed the full spectrum of relations between Pakistan and the European Union, expressing satisfaction with the increasing momentum in high-level exchanges and engagement. Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the importance of sustained leadership-level engagement to provide direction and momentum to the bilateral relationship. He also highlighted the significance of the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP Plus) for Pakistan’s economic development, employment generation, and trade with the European Union, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to ongoing engagement under the framework.

The discussions also included an exchange of views on regional and global developments, with both sides reaffirming the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, international law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Prime Minister Sharif extended invitations to the Presidents of the European Council and European Commission to visit Pakistan, expressing his desire to continue working closely with EU leadership to further deepen the mutually beneficial partnership.