The head of EU delegation in Islamabad, Ambassador Lars Wigemark Gunnar has said Pakistan would become eligible to apply for the GSP Plus trade regime of the European Union (EU) after the 27 countries’ union relaxes the vulnerability criteria for the countries that could qualify next generation of generalised system of preferences in trade.
“For years Pakistan is availing the GSP regime’s advantages as a trading partner with Europe and now it is going to be eligible to apply for the GSP plus as well,” he said. In a candid and bold interview with weekly Pulse, the ambassador foresaw immense potential to manifold the existing nearly four billion Euro annual trade between Pakistan and EU.
“As Pakistan and EU have already been enjoying very good relations, we really are in a good position to upgrade and broaden them,” the ambassador observed.
According to Europe’s top envoy, the EU has already approved the five-year engagement plan that would umbrella Pak-EU. He told Pulse that all the two-member council approved the plan on January 23. “Now we are waiting to hear from Pakistan that needs to accord a formal approval to it and then we would initiate the strategic dialogue.”
“Once we have that we have to launch the strategic dialogue.” And that he anticipated would be done on the occasion of the visit by the high representative of the EU, Kufi Ashton to Pakistan. “We anticipate this visit some time soon,” he added.
Elaborating on the plan he said it covered much broader range of issues as against what traditionally had been associated with the EU and Pakistan relations.
“Beyond the concept of just trade and aid, Pakistan and the EU cooperation will expand to other areas.”
He said the other areas of cooperation would include security, vocational education, science and technology, and energy by all means given the fact that Pakistan was suffering from a sever energy crisis.
Giving further details of the security cooperation, the ambassador said sub-areas would include counter terrorism, narcotics’ control, and migration issues.
“There is a great interest on Pakistani side especially in the immigration issues. Since we are planning to set up a blue card scheme which is not up yet… but is surely in the pipeline. Under the scheme we would allow immigrants to come for longer time and work in EU countries as we have started facing labour shortage. We need both skilled and unskilled manpower,” he added.
