RECORDER REPORT
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday highlighted the significance of the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) programme, calling it a vital pillar for maintaining and enhancing Pakistan’s trade ties with the European Union.
Sharif made the remarks while talking to KajaKallas, the visiting EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, who met him, following the eighth round of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue held earlier in the day.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the dialogue and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding cooperation with the EU across a broad range of sectors, including trade and investment, climate change, security, migration, sustainable development and regional connectivity.
He welcomed Kallas to Islamabad and said Pakistan remained keen to further deepen its “multifaceted partnership” with the European Union.
The two sides also discussed regional and international developments. The prime minister thanked the EU leadership for its support for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace in the Gulf region.
He said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir were playing an important role in these efforts, and stressed the need for the international community, including the EU, to work collectively towards lasting peace in the region.
Sharif also shared Pakistan’s perspective on security developments in South Asia as well as the situation in Afghanistan.
He conveyed his best wishes to European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and reiterated invitations for both to visit Pakistan.
Kallas, according to the statement, appreciated Pakistan’s role in regional peace efforts and expressed the EU’s interest in further strengthening strategic engagement with Islamabad.
