Foreign Secretary meets Islamabad-Based EU Heads of Missions

(2017-07-19) Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua met Islamabad based Heads of Missions of European Union Member States today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Secretary underscored that Pakistan attached importance to its relations with the EU. While highlighting Pakistan-EU cooperation in the fields of political, economic and trade, and social sectors, she expressed satisfaction that the Pakistan-EU engagement had progressed to the strategic level.

The Foreign Secretary added that during the last round of Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue, the two sides agreed to upgrade the current Five Year Engagement Plan (2012-2017) into a Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP). She expressed satisfaction that the two sides were working to finalize the SEP for approval at the next Pakistan-EU Summit.

The Foreign Secretary underscored that the GSP+ Scheme had benefited both EU and Pakistan by enhancing two-way trade. It has been helpful in creating employment opportunities for the youth and women of Pakistan while promoting the economic interests of both sides.

Foreign Secretary briefed EU representatives on the evolving peace and security situation in the region and highlighted Pakistan’s efforts for pursuing the objectives of a peaceful neighborhood. She reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to constructively contribute towards peace and stability in Afghanistan as well as its commitment to dialogue with India for the resolution of all outstanding issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. She also highlighted the atrocities being perpetrated by the Indian security forces against unarmed innocent Kashmiri civilians and ceasefire violations committed by India at LoC.

The briefing was followed by an interactive question- answer session.

Islamabad
19 July 2017

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