Pakistan, EU agree to deepen ties under Strategic Engagement Plan

Celina Ali

Brussels: Pakistan and the European Union this week agreed to further deepen their relations in line with the Strategic Engagement Plan (2019).

The agreement was reached in a meeting between Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, JosepBorrellFontelles.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 3rd Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Brussels, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on X.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed global and regional issues, emphasizing the vitality of diplomacy in resolving disputes.

They also highlighted the need to develop partnerships to tackle global challenges.

Meanwhile Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Friday met with Belgian counterpart HadjaLahbib wherein they discussed cooperation in trade, education and people-to-people contacts.

In the meeting, the two foreign ministers reviewed Pakistan-Belgium bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction on their positive trajectory.

Both sides agreed on the importance of continued engagement and collaboration to strengthen bilateral relations.

They also explored new avenues of cooperation for mutual prosperity.

Earlier, Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and Vice President European Parliament and Rapporteur of the new GSP Plus Schemes Heidi Hautala met and discussed matters relating to mutual trade and GSP Plus.

During the meeting, they agreed to further strengthen and deepen Pak-EU trade relations.

They also agreed on the role of the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) as a template for mutually beneficial cooperation.