On Tuesday, the Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and Josep Borrel, Vice President and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, co-chaired the 6th round of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue.
The dialogue held in Brussels reviewed the implementation of the strategic engagement plan agreed between Brussels and Islamabad In June 2019.
Strategic Dialogue meeting 2022
The multi-dimensional bilateral ties between European Union and Pakistan were discussed in detail during the strategic dialogue. The two sides vied to work on enhancing EU-Pakistan engagement on regional cooperation and security.
Furthermore, matters of regional and international significance also came under discussion, including the evolving situation in Afghanistan. Views were also exchanged over crucial matters related to regional stability and peace.
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Both sides also agreed to hold EU-Pakistan Security Dialogue’s first meeting in 2022. The new dialogue would bring together sub-groups on particular areas of mutual interest, including counter-terrorism, non-proliferation, and disarmament.
The two sides also expressed their commitment towards the GSP+ with the Foreign Minister calling it mutually beneficial in a tweet from his official Twitter handle.
➖GSP + has been mutually beneficial and played an imp part in growth of 🇵🇰 🇪🇺 trade. Pakistan remains committed to implementing the 27 International Conventions related to GSP Plus.
➖Stressed need for int’l engagement & support for Afg to address humanitarian situation. https://t.co/fAYlPynKSW
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) December 8, 2021
Pakistan’s progress on implementation of action plans given by the Financial Action Task Force was also praised by the European Union. The EU side also appreciated the efforts put in by Pakistan to address and implement the remaining actions.
The Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, expressed his concern over the globally rising Islamophobia and intolerance incidents and the need for collective action to counter them.
Increased engagement
Both sides also conveyed their mutual resolve to protect and promote human rights, including the freedom of religion and the rights of minorities.
Another matter high on the agenda for discussion was that of climate change. Both sides during the dialogue reiterated their commitment to cooperate over slowing down climate change.
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The EU side also noted the role that developed countries had to play to achieve common climate objectives, including mobilization of climate finance.
The HR/VP Borrell also appreciated Pakistan’s pledge to contribute towards reaching common climate objectives, which the state pronounced prior to the Glasgow conference.
The Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, expressed his desire to jointly celebrate the 60th anniversary of the EU-Pakistan friendship in Islamabad next year.
He also said that the dialogue was proof of the commitment of both sides to strengthening and further broadening the existing EU-Pakistan Strategic Partnership.