Strategic dialogue: Pakistan, EU to further enhance bilateral cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the European Union Tuesday expressed satisfaction over the Strategic Engagement Plan, and agreed to further enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of mutual interest, the Foreign Office said.

The fifth round of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue, jointly chaired by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, was held virtually Tuesday. Views were also exchanged on efforts for peace in Afghanistan during the meeting.

Both the foreign ministers termed intra-Afghan dialogue as a milestone for durable peace in Afghanistan.

Expressing satisfaction over the Strategic Engagement Plan approved between Pakistan and the EU last year, both sides agreed to further enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of mutual interest.

The Strategic Engagement Plan is a forward looking, dynamic and inclusive framework of cooperation, promoting deepening of relations in all areas.

In his address to the virtual session, Foreign Minister Qureshi said that Pakistan and the EU enjoyed multi-dimensional bilateral relations, adding that the continuation of high-level contacts between Pakistan and the European Union in various areas of mutual interest was a reflection of pleasant relations.

He called for joint efforts at the international level to face the global challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that despite limited economic resources, Pakistan succeeded in reducing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic through "smart lockdown" strategy.

In view of the global pandemic, he added that Prime Minister Imran Khan had proposed a loan repayment facility for the economic recovery of weak economies, which was appreciated globally.

Qureshi also thanked his counterpart from the EU for the timely assistance provided by the EU during the pandemic. He also highlighted the features of the Ehsaas programme launched for financial assistance to the poor in Pakistan, and the encouraging results of the programme.

He also stated that Pakistan launched the "Clean Green Pakistan" programme to tackle the effects of climate change.

He apprised his EU counterpart Josep Borrell about concerns of Muslims all over the world, including Pakistan, regarding rising Islamophobia in some of the EU countries.

Qureshi also called upon the global community, including the EU, to play its due role in resolution of Kashmir issue in accordance with the UN resolutions.

"The EU is a traditional friend of Pakistan and a major trading and investment partner," the Foreign Office said, adding that the relations between the two sides were pursued through regular high-level engagements, robust institutional arrangements and structured dialogues.

Ahead of the Strategic Dialogue, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service Enrique Mora also held the Sixth Round of Pakistan-European Political Dialogue to advance bilateral cooperation, on October 6, 2020.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020