ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the European Union on Monday reaffirmed their dedication to remodeling bilateral ties right into a complete and mutually useful partnership, highlighting the huge potential for cooperation in the course of the eighth Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue held in Islamabad.
Deputy Prime Minister and Overseas Minister Ishaq Dar, addressing a joint press briefing with the European Union’s Excessive Consultant for Overseas Affairs and Safety Coverage and Vice-President of the European Fee, Kaja Kallas, described the dialogue as the best institutionalized discussion board between Pakistan and the EU.
The 2 sides reviewed progress on cooperation underneath the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan 2019, masking sectors together with commerce, funding and growth, human rights and rule of regulation, migration and mobility, and safety and counter-terrorism.
Dar highlighted that the EU was amongst Pakistan’s main commerce companions and described Pakistan-EU commerce cooperation underneath the GSP+ framework as a win-win template and acknowledged that discussions centered on additional strengthening bilateral commerce and funding ties.
Throughout the dialogue, each leaders exchanged views on a spread of regional and international developments, together with tensions involving america and Iran, the safety scenario in South Asia, Afghanistan, Europe, and the Center East.
Dar raised issues concerning unprovoked Indian aggression and reiterated Pakistan’s principled place on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, advocating for its decision in response to the needs of the Kashmiri individuals in keeping with UN Safety Council resolutions.
He additionally shared that Pakistan’s place on the Indus Waters Treaty stands vindicated after the Court docket of Arbitration’s supplementary award, which affirmed that the Treaty positioned substantive limits on India’s water management functionality on the western rivers.
On safety points, Dar emphasised issues concerning the presence of Fitna Khawarij and Fitna Hindustan components on Afghan soil and their continued assaults in opposition to Pakistan.
In her remarks, Kaja Kallas described Pakistan as a significant regional energy and an vital associate for the European Union.
Kallas famous that the EU stays Pakistan’s largest export vacation spot, stating that Pakistan is the world’s main beneficiary of the EU’s GSP+ scheme.
She expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s mediation efforts between america and Iran, which have helped stop a return to full-blown battle.
Commenting on Afghanistan, Kallas stated Pakistan has the correct to guard its individuals and defend itself in accordance with worldwide regulation.
Each leaders expressed resolve to additional strengthen EU-Pakistan ties throughout commerce, local weather resilience, digital infrastructure, clear power, migration, mobility, and people-to-people hyperlinks, together with by means of the Erasmus Mundus scholarship program during which Pakistan tops the rankings.
