EU to provide Pakistan technical assistance in implementation of FATF plan

• Pakistan has until February to improve its counter-terror financing operations in line with an internationally agreed action plan.
• The two sides discussed implementation of GSP Plus and the issues hampering trade and investment.

The European Union would provide Pakistan technical assistance in the implementation of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plan.

According to the press statement released at the conclusion of 10th session of the European Union-Pakistan Joint Commission in Brussel, both sides emphasised the importance of the implementation of FATF Action Plan by Pakistan. The Pakistan side appreciated the EU's offer of technical assistance in this regard.

The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force said in October that Pakistan has until February to improve its counter-terror financing operations in line with an internationally agreed action plan, or face action against it.

Meanwhile, the two sides appreciated the signing of the EU–Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP) in June 2019 and expressed commitment for its early and full implementation including the establishment of a Security Dialogue, working towards a comprehensive dialogue on migration and mobility and further expanding relations in the areas of connectivity, climate change and energy, education and culture, and science and technology.

The Joint Commission was co-chaired on the EU side by Mr Gunnar Wiegand, Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific in the European External Action Service and on the Pakistan side by Mr Noor Ahmed, Secretary of Economic Affairs Division (EAD).

In the area of trade, implementation of GSP Plus, issues hampering trade and investment, and improving the business climate remained the focus of discussions. On development cooperation, the parties appreciated the encouraging progress of ongoing activities and exchanged views and priorities concerning cooperation beyond 2020.

The parties discussed the different aspects of migration management, stressed the importance of the full and effective implementation of the EU–Pakistan Readmission Agreement (EURA), and underlined that the Re-admission Case Management System (RCMS) is of high importance in this regard.

The two parties undertook to hold the next political dialogue in Islamabad that would contribute towards the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue at High Representative/Foreign Minister level in Brussels.