ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said there was a need to further strengthen parliamentary ties between Pakistan and the European Union (EU) and expand bilateral cooperation in multiple areas.
The Speaker expressed these views during a meeting with Member of the European Parliament Ondrej Dostál at Parliament House on Monday. The two sides discussed Pakistan-EU bilateral relations and important regional and global issues.
Sadiq said Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with the European Union and stressed the need to further consolidate parliamentary contacts between the two sides. He said there was considerable potential for expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Discussing climate change, the speaker described it as a global challenge requiring joint and effective action at the international level. He noted that Pakistan was among the countries most vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change despite having a very small share in global greenhouse gas emissions.
He said that the Green Parliament initiative of the National Assembly was a practical manifestation of Parliament’s commitment to environmental protection and the promotion of renewable energy.
The Speaker also highlighted the progress made by the current National Assembly in legislation, parliamentary reforms and matters of public importance. He said the establishment of the Women Parliamentary Caucus, Child Parliamentary Caucus and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Secretariat were important parliamentary initiatives.
He said Parliament’s role in promoting women’s and children’s rights and advancing the SDGs was being further strengthened.
Sadiq also appreciated the reforms and development initiatives undertaken in Punjab in various sectors, particularly progress in teachers’ training and technical and vocational education.
He said Pakistan possessed a large pool of talented and skilled human resources that could be of benefit to the European Union. He stressed that there were broad opportunities for Pakistan-EU cooperation in education, skills development, vocational training and employment.
The speaker said Pakistan’s role in promoting peace and stability in the region was increasingly being appreciated by the international community. He reiterated that Pakistan desired lasting peace and stability in the region and beyond and preferred dialogue and diplomatic means for the peaceful resolution of all disputes.
Referring to Pakistan’s efforts to help ease tensions between Iran and the United States, he said Islamabad’s mediation efforts reflected its commitment to promoting peace and stability.
The European Parliament member appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace, parliamentary diplomacy and international cooperation. He said friendly and mutually respectful relations between Pakistan and the European Union were of great importance.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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