Pak’s access to EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus 'vital': Dar

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Ishaq Dar stated that Pakistan’s access to the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) remains a vital cornerstone of Pakistan-EU economic cooperation and a mutually beneficial framework.

He announced this while addressing a joint media briefing along with Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman here on Thursday.

With a new GSP+ regulation set to take effect on January 1, 2027, Dar reiterated that Islamabad has initiated preparatory work to submit its reapplication in early 2027.

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To strengthen bilateral ties, the two foreign ministers have agreed to expedite various pending agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).

Both FMs have discussed the establishment of a Croatian visa processing facility in Islamabad. Currently, Pakistani applicants must travel to Tehran, Iran, to process Croatian visas. Minister Radman stated he looks forward to opening the new facility in Pakistan “soon” to ease the process for local applicants.

Two leaders also focused heavily on labor mobility, both bilaterally and within the broader context of Pakistan-EU relations.

Pakistan and Croatia have also decided to cooperate in all spheres that have mutual interests, which include trade, investments, agriculture, movement of people, visa facilities, education, defence, climate change, tourism, infrastructural development, IT cooperation, and seaport cooperation.

Dar said that both parties have decided to enter into an MoU on political consultations between the two foreign ministries, fully operational, and conduct such consultations regularly.

He said that both parties have decided to revitalize their trade and economic relations, which include business-to-business cooperation.

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that he had informed the Croatian FM about the potential, capacity, and connectivity of Karachi Port. Both parties talked about the prospects of having some sort of collaboration between the two ports of the two countries.

The Croatian Foreign Minister made it clear that his country gives much importance to people-to-people relations and that it will be pleased to provide Pakistani citizens the opportunity to apply for visas from within Pakistan.

The Croatian Foreign Minister acknowledged Pakistan’s diplomatic role, which brought about the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding ending the dispute between the US and Iran.

He said that Croatia fully backs the inclusion of women in UN peacekeeping missions. He said that Croatia will be happy to have the Pakistani female police officers in its pre-deployment training programs that are recognized by the UN.

Earlier, DPM Dar received Dr Gordan Grlic-Radman, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, and the Croatian delegation at the MOFA.

Recognizing that connectivity lies at the heart of sustainable development, regional stability, and global economic integration, the two sides discussed the possibilities and potential for collaboration between the ports of Pakistan and Croatia.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026