Pakistan and European Union have reaffirmed resolve to transform their relations into a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership.  The commitment was reiterated during the 8th session of Pakistan-EU strategic dialogue, co chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas in Islamabad.

Later in a joint press stakeout, the Deputy Prime Minister said the two sides reviewed the progress on cooperation under the various sectors of Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan 2019 including trade, investment and development, human rights and rule of law, migration and mobility, and security and counter-terrorism.He said the EU is amongst Pakistan's major trade partners, with a trade volume of around twelve billion Euros.

 Ishaq Dar said Pakistan-EU trade cooperation under the GSP Plus framework is a win-win template. He said our discussions today focused on further enhancing bilateral trade and investment ties between EU and Pakistan. In this regard, he said both sides assessed the first-ever Pakistan-EU Business Forum held in Islamabad in April this year as a welcome development. He said Pakistan remains committed to constructive engagement with EU and its member states.  

The Deputy Prime Minister said the two sides also held an in-depth exchange of views on regional and global issues, including the US-Iran conflict, security situation in South Asia, Afghanistan, Europe and the Middle East. He said Pakistan will continue to work towards finding a comprehensive and lasting solution to the US-Iran conflict. 

Ishaq Dar said he also apprised the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs about Pakistan's concerns regarding unprovoked Indian aggression and Pakistan's principled position on Jammu and Kashmir dispute, emphasizing that Pakistan advocates for its resolution according to the wishes of Kashmiri people, in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

 Ishaq Dar said that he also shared with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs that Pakistan's position on Indus Water Treaty stands vindicated after the Court of Arbitration's supplemental award in the Indus Water Treaty proceedings arising from Ratle Hydroelectric Plant and Kishenganga Hydroelectric Project design disputes.

He noted that the award affirms Pakistan's central position that the treaty places substantive limits on India's water control capability on the western rivers.    He said we also discussed security issues and terrorism, including the presence of Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna-al- Hindustan elements on Afghan soil.

He said their continued attacks against Pakistan remain our top concern. In her remarks on the occasion, Kaja Kallas said Pakistan is a major regional power and an important partner for the European Union. She said we have reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthening EU-Pakistan ties even further, emphasizing that on trade, in particular, there is already a strong momentum. 

She said the European Union remains Pakistan's largest export destination, and it is the world's leading beneficiary of European Union trade preferences, the GSP+. Kaja Kallas said we are deepening cooperation on a wide range of issues including climate resilience, digital infrastructure, clean energy, migration, and mobility.

She said people to-people links are also an important part of our partnership. Recognizing Pakistan as the main mediator between the United States and Iran, she said its diplomatic efforts have helped to prevent a return to full-blown war on several occasions. She said these efforts are recognized and appreciated across Europe.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)