Fri, September 18, 2026
Islamabad (Web Desk): European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Monday called for a deeper and more forward-looking partnership with Pakistan, describing the country as a key regional power during a press briefing after the 8th Pakistan–EU Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad.
Speaking alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, she said her visit took place at a time of major global and regional change, adding that both sides had reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation. Kallas termed Pakistan an important partner for the European Union and stressed the shared resolve to further expand ties.
Kallas noted strong momentum in trade relations, pointing out that the EU remains Pakistan’s largest export destination, even ahead of China and the United States combined.
She also highlighted Pakistan’s position as the leading beneficiary of the EU’s GSP+ scheme, while stressing that continued access depends on progress in areas such as governance, environmental protection, labour rights, and human rights commitments.
Kallas said cooperation was expanding beyond trade into climate resilience, digital infrastructure, clean energy, migration, mobility, and broader people-to-people exchanges.
She also praised educational cooperation, noting that Pakistan had once again topped the global Erasmus Mundus scholarship rankings for the fifth consecutive year.
On international affairs, she said both sides discussed major global developments, including the Middle East situation, and acknowledged Pakistan’s diplomatic role in facilitating contacts between the United States and Iran.
She said Pakistan had helped mediate between the two countries, which had on several occasions prevented escalation, adding that these efforts were widely appreciated in Europe.
The EU foreign policy chief further said that there was a “fragile opening” for extending a ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but stressed that any temporary arrangement must lead to broader negotiations on Iran’s nuclear issue and related concerns, adding that lasting stability would require comprehensive solutions.
The EU, she said, stood ready to support such efforts using its diplomatic and economic influence, nuclear expertise, and regional relationships.
Kallas also referred to the Pakistan–Afghanistan situation, warning that ongoing tensions had serious humanitarian implications and could fuel instability and radicalisation. She urged restraint from both sides, while acknowledging Pakistan’s right to defend itself in line with international law.
She thanked Pakistan for hosting the dialogue and expressed hope for continued strengthening of ties in the future.
In his remarks, DPM Ishaq Dar called for more structured and sustained engagement between Pakistan and the EU, saying both sides remained closely aligned on regional and global issues.
He noted regular communication with EU leadership during past regional crises, describing it as evidence of trust and transparency.
Dar said the brief gap between the previous round in Brussels and the current dialogue reflected the growing pace of engagement. Dar added that both sides were reviewing progress under the Pakistan–EU Strategic Engagement Plan 2019, which covers trade, investment, development, human rights, migration, security, and counter-terrorism cooperation.
He placed bilateral trade at around €12 billion and described cooperation under the GSP+ framework as mutually beneficial. He also welcomed the Pakistan–EU Business Forum held earlier this year, calling for it to become a regular feature.
On regional issues, Dar said discussions covered the US–Iran situation, South Asia, Afghanistan, Europe, and the Middle East. He thanked the EU for acknowledging Pakistan’s facilitation role in US–Iran contacts and said Islamabad remained committed to pursuing a lasting and comprehensive solution.
He also raised concerns over regional security, referring to what he called unprovoked Indian aggression, and reiterated Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir in line with UN resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. He added that Pakistan’s position on the Indus Waters Treaty had been reinforced by recent arbitration outcomes limiting India’s control over western rivers.
Dar further highlighted security threats originating from Afghan territory, describing them as a persistent concern, and stressed stronger multilateral cooperation and adherence to the UN Charter.
Calling the visit a milestone, he said both sides had reaffirmed their intention to transform relations into a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership, while expressing hope for more high-level exchanges in the future.
Earlier, during delegation-level talks, Kallas thanked Pakistan for the invitation and said she was pleased to finally visit the country.
She praised Pakistan’s role in facilitating US–Iran discussions and noted that global instability also affects energy and fertiliser prices, stressing the importance of continued ceasefires and diplomacy.
She said the momentum of 2026 should guide EU–Pakistan relations towards a more forward-looking direction, adding that both sides shared commitment to a rules-based international order and global stability. She reiterated the potential for expanding cooperation beyond trade into long-term strategic areas.
Dar, addressing delegations, stressed maintaining six-month intervals between strategic dialogues and welcomed sustained engagement at the highest level. He said Pakistan valued the EU’s broader strategic outlook and continued exchange of views.
He also expressed hope for a future visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, noting that an invitation had already been extended.
Earlier, Kallas arrived in Islamabad and held talks in a restricted meeting with DPM Dar at the Foreign Office.
Both sides acknowledged positive momentum in relations and agreed to further strengthen cooperation, exchanging views on regional and global developments ahead of the dialogue.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with the EU HR/VP Ms. Kaja Kallas @kajakallas, today in Islamabad.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 1, 2026
During the meeting, both sides acknowledged the positive trajectory of Pakistan-EU ties and agreed to further strengthen the… pic.twitter.com/xJAVuE3MG0
During her visit, the EU foreign policy chief is also scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir.
The European Union remains Pakistan’s second-largest trading partner, with the GSP+ arrangement granting preferential access to European markets.
Since 2014, the scheme has significantly boosted Pakistan’s exports, particularly in the textile sector, strengthening overall economic ties between the two sides.
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