Brussels (Web Desk): Pakistan and the European Union (EU) have renewed their commitment to strengthening economic cooperation, highlighting the need to further enhance trade and investment—particularly through the EU’s GSP+ scheme.
This shared priority emerged during the 7th Strategic Dialogue in Brussels, co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, who also serves as Vice-President of the European Commission.
The meeting served as a wide-ranging assessment of bilateral ties, reflecting the positive trajectory shaped by recent high-level interactions and the consistent work of institutional forums.
Both sides once again pledged to pursue a broad, inclusive and future-focused partnership grounded in shared values, the principles of the UN Charter, a belief in multilateralism, and a spirit of mutual cooperation.
The Dialogue also allowed the two parties to exchange perspectives on major regional and international developments, including the situation in South Asia, Afghanistan, the Middle East and wider geopolitical shifts.
They stressed the importance of working together to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development while confronting global challenges such as climate change and the growing need for better connectivity.
Pakistan and the EU agreed to deepen collaboration under the 2019 Strategic Engagement Plan, continue progress on existing dialogues, and pinpoint tangible areas where their partnership can expand in the coming years.
Meanwhile, DPM Dar met Brunei Darussalam’s Second Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dato Erywan Yusof, in Brussels during the 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum.
In the meeting, the deputy premier reiterated Pakistan’s strong commitment to its longstanding relationship with Brunei.
Both officials, while appreciating the close cooperation already in place, agreed that the partnership still holds significant untapped potential.
They pointed to opportunities for broader engagement in areas such as trade, tourism, regional connectivity, information technology and education, and expressed a shared desire to advance collaboration across these fields.