In meeting with EU Council president, Dar discuss economic ties, GSP+

Pakistan and the European Union on Wednesday discussed the GSP+ scheme, trade expansion and broader economic cooperation during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and European Council President Antonio Costa.

Deputy PM Dar arrived in Belgium, earlier in the day, to participate in the 7th Session of Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue after concluding Russia visit, where he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

According to a press release, both sides expressed satisfaction over the "positive trajectory" of Pakistan-EU relations and agreed to deepen their mutually beneficial partnership across multiple sectors.

During the meeting, Dar also appreciated the EU’s continued support to Pakistan at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

The two delegations reviewed areas of shared interest, including trade and economic cooperation, GSP+, and regional and global security developments, while reaffirming their commitment to multilateralism.

They agreed to continue working closely to advance joint priorities and strengthen cooperation across key sectors.

Upon his arrival, the deputy premier was received by the Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, Ambassador of Pakistan to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU, Rahim Hayat Qureshi and other officers from the Pakistan Embassy.

"Dar will co-chair the seventh session of Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue at the invitation of Kaja Kallas, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy," the FO said.

The dialogue will review cooperation between Pakistan and the EU in all sectors under the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan 2019, it added.

The Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue is the highest level of institutionalised interaction between the two sides, the FO said.

During the visit, the deputy premier will also participate in the 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum. He will also hold a number of bilateral meetings and engagements with the senior EU officials on the sidelines of the Forum.