ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar onWednesday held high-level talks with European Council President AntónioCosta in Brussels, focusing on the future of Pakistan’s GSP tradepreferences, bilateral trade expansion and wider economic cooperation.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 7th Pakistan-EU StrategicDialogue, which Dar is co-chairing with EU High Representative for ForeignAffairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. Both sides expressed satisfactionover growing trade volume and reaffirmed commitment to strengthen thestrategic partnership.
The GSP scheme, which grants Pakistan duty-free access to the EU marketfor over 66 percent of its tariff lines, remains a cornerstone of bilateraltrade ties. Officials said the two sides reviewed progress on the 27conventions linked to the scheme and explored avenues for its continuationbeyond 2027.
Dar highlighted Pakistan’s reforms in human rights, labour standards,environment and governance, assuring the EU of continued compliance. Costaappreciated Pakistan’s efforts and underlined the importance of sustainableand inclusive growth through enhanced trade and investment linkages.
The discussions also covered cooperation in green energy, digital economy,textiles and information technology. Both leaders agreed to expeditenegotiations on a new Strategic Engagement Plan to replace the currentframework expiring next year.
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Earlier in the day, Dar arrived in Brussels after attending the ShanghaiCooperation Organisation summit in Russia, reflecting Pakistan’s activemulti-directional diplomacy.
The two-day Strategic Dialogue is expected to conclude with a jointstatement outlining future areas of collaboration.
Source: https://mofa.gov.pk/press-releasesSource: www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings”>https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings
