ISLAMABAD: The fourth session of the Pakistan-EU Political Dialogue held in Islamabad, concluded on Wednesday amid reiterations and acknowledgements of support to each other, besides in-depth review of the current status of the Pakistan-European Union relations.
The Pakistan delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, while the EU side was headed by Jean-Christophe Belliard, deputy secretary general of European External Action Service.
The EU side recognised Pakistan’s achievements in peace and security, contribution in the fight against terrorism and curbing of illegal migration. Acknowledging that Pakistan-EU relationship was multi-dimensional, the EU side expressed a keen desire to further broaden engagement and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation.
The foreign secretary acknowledged EU’s support to Pakistan on GSP Plus Scheme as well as various Pakistani institutions working in the spheres of strengthening of democracy, governance, rule of law, energy, trade and investment, human rights and migration. The issue of support for legal migration from Pakistan and visa facilitation for bonafide citizens was also raised with the EU side.
The EU delegation was briefed on Pakistan-India relations, including gross human rights violation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Afghan peace process, Pakistan’s role at SAARC, ASEM and ECO as well as connectivity with Central Asia.
The next Pakistan-EU Political Dialogue will be held in Brussels in 2018 at mutually convenient dates.
