BRUSSELS
\nThe 15th session of the European Union-Pakistan Joint Commission concluded in Brussels on Wednesday, marking a significant step in reaffirming and advancing the multifaceted strategic partnership between the two sides. The high-level meeting provided a comprehensive platform to review the broad spectrum of bilateral cooperation under the 2019 Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP), spanning political dialogue, trade, human rights, development, and regional security.
\nCo-chaired by Humair Karim, Secretary of Pakistan\u2019s Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Ms. Paola Pampaloni, Acting Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service, the commission underscored a shared commitment to a partnership \u201cunderpinned by shared interest in promoting regional stability.\u201d
\nA central focus of the discussions was Pakistan\u2019s continued participation in the EU\u2019s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), a trade arrangement pivotal to bilateral commerce.
\nThe EU, Pakistan\u2019s second-largest trading partner, acknowledged progress made by Islamabad in implementing the 27 international conventions related to human rights, labour, and governance that are conditional for GSP+ benefits.
\nThe talks covered follow-up actions from a recent GSP+ monitoring mission and Pakistan\u2019s upcoming re-application under the new EU regulation. Both sides emphasized improving the overall business environment, with plans to advance this agenda at the High-Level EU-Pakistan Business Forum scheduled for April 2026 in Islamabad.
\nIn parallel Sub-Group meetings, dialogues delved into specific cooperation areas. The Sub-Group on Democracy, Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights, which met earlier this month, saw the EU congratulate Pakistan on its recent election to the UN Human Rights Council. Discussions covered progress on Pakistan\u2019s National Action Plans on Human Rights and Business and Human Rights, alongside exchanges on freedom of expression, media independence, minority rights, and labour standards. The EU welcomed steps to align the application of the death penalty with international standards and the creation of a Commission on Minorities.
\nThe Development Co-operation Sub-Group confirmed the continued relevance of EU support in priority areas: green inclusive growth, human capital development, and governance. Pakistan welcomed the EU\u2019s sustained support for climate resilience, notably through a \u2018Team Europe\u2019 approach.
\nA landmark development on the sidelines was the European Investment Bank\u2019s (EIB) signing of its first credit financing agreement in Pakistan\u2019s water sector since 2015, signalling a re-engagement of the EU\u2019s lending arm with the country.
\nMigration and mobility formed another critical pillar of the talks. The commission reviewed progress under the Comprehensive Dialogue on Migration, appreciating Pakistan\u2019s concrete steps to improve cooperation.
\nBoth sides emphasized the importance of fully implementing the EU-Pakistan Readmission Agreement and noted with satisfaction the recent endorsement of a Roadmap for the Talent Partnership, which aims to foster legal migration pathways.
\nOn regional and global issues, the EU and Pakistan affirmed their support for the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza Conflict, stressing the need for all parties to adhere to the ceasefire and work towards a two-state solution. The situation in Afghanistan, including security threats emanating from its territory and the need for continued humanitarian assistance, was also discussed. The EU reiterated its position on Russia\u2019s war against Ukraine, while Pakistan briefed on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty.
\nThe meeting concluded with an agreement to hold the next session of the Joint Commission in Islamabad in 2026, reflecting a mutual desire to maintain the positive momentum in a relationship the EU described as with a \u201creform-driven, innovation-ready\u201d Pakistan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BRUSSELS The 15th session of the European Union-Pakistan Joint Commission concluded in Brussels on Wednesday, marking a significant step in reaffirming and advancing the multifaceted strategic partnership between the two sides. The high-level meeting provided a comprehensive platform to review the broad spectrum of bilateral cooperation under the 2019 Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP), spanning political […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":521196,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-521173","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n