logo
Pakistan, EU discuss global security in fifth round of disarmament talks

Pakistan, EU discuss global security in fifth round of disarmament talks

Arab News14-06-2025
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the European Union this week held the fifth round of non-proliferation and disarmament talks in Islamabad this week, where the two sides discussed enhanced cooperation and implications of emerging technologies on global and regional security, Pakistan's foreign office said.
The talks between the two sides were held on June 12. The Pakistani delegation was led by Ambassador Tahir Andrabi, the additional foreign secretary for arms control, disarmament and international security. The EU delegation was headed by Ambassador Stephan Klement, the bloc's special envoy for disarmament and non-proliferation.
The annual dialogue between both sides seeks to ensure global peace and regional stability through non-proliferation of weapons.
'Both sides engaged in a comprehensive exchange of views on issues related to international and regional peace, security, and strategic stability,' a statement from Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said.
'Pakistan side briefed their EU interlocutors on developments in the wake of recent Pakistan-India conflict.'
India and Pakistan both engaged in the worst fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbors in decades last month before Washington brokered a truce on May 10. India accused Pakistan of deploying its nuclear-capable missile against it, a charge Islamabad denied.
The discussions also focused on various dimensions of disarmament and non-proliferation, with particular reference to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the statement said.
'In addition, the Dialogue reviewed recent trends in Multilateral Export Control Regimes (MECRs) and assessed the implications of Emerging Technologies on global security,' MoFA said. 'The avenues for enhanced cooperation in the domain of Science Diplomacy were explored as well.'
The two sides agreed to hold the sixth round of the dialogue in Brussels in 2026.
The Pakistan–EU Dialogue on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament is a key part of the broader strategic engagement between Pakistan and the European Union, which has been institutionalized since 2012.
Pakistan says it attaches high importance to the dialogue, recognizing it as a vital platform for engagement on global and regional security, as well as on disarmament and non-proliferation issues.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Pakistan denies India's ‘sabre rattling' allegations, vows ‘matching response' to aggression
Pakistan denies India's ‘sabre rattling' allegations, vows ‘matching response' to aggression

Arab News

timean hour ago

  • Arab News

Pakistan denies India's ‘sabre rattling' allegations, vows ‘matching response' to aggression

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's foreign office on Monday rejected Indian allegations of 'sabre rattling' as misleading, promising a 'matching response' to any aggression by New Delhi. India's ministry of external affairs (MEA) accused Pakistan of 'sabre rattling' and 'irresponsibility' after media reports on remarks about nuclear threats in South Asia made by Pakistan's army chief while on a visit to the United States (US). Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir was said to have made the remarks at a black-tie dinner hosted by a Pakistani-origin businessman in Florida on Saturday, where he spoke to a crowd of more than 100 people. An excerpt of his speech shared by Pakistani security officials did not include such remarks, while the foreign office in Islamabad said the Indian MEA's statement was yet another demonstration of their 'chronic tendency to distorting facts and twisting statements out of context.' 'The Indian narrative of an alleged 'nuclear blackmail' is a misleading and self-serving construct,' it said in a statement. 'Pakistan remains firmly opposed to the use or threat of use of force. India's sabre rattling and war mongering, whenever confronted, invite unfounded allegations bereft of rationality.' India and Pakistan both possess nuclear weapons and fought their deadliest battle in decades in May, sparked by an attack on tourists the previous month in Indian-administer Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. 'Nuclear sabre-rattling is Pakistan's stock-in-trade,' Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson of India's MEA, said, adding that it was regrettable that the reported remarks have been made while in a friendly third country. 'The international community can draw its own conclusions on the irresponsibility inherent in such remarks.' In a version of the speech shared by Pakistani security officials, Munir said: 'The (Indian) aggression has brought the region to the brink of a dangerously escalating war, where a bilateral conflict due to any miscalculation will be a grave mistake.' The Pakistani army chief was on a visit to the US to attend a farewell event for General Michael Kurilla, the 15th commander of the United States Central Command. India previously lodged a private diplomatic protest with Washington when President Donald Trump hosted Munir for a lunch at the White House in June. In its statement on Monday, the foreign office said Pakistan is a responsible nuclear weapon state with an elaborate command and control structure under full civilian control, and it has always exercised discipline and restraint while dealing with the issues of such importance. 'The Indian MEA's spurious insinuations are irresponsible and without a shred of evidence,' it said. 'We also note with concern a pointless reference to the third countries, in a bid to exert pressure on Pakistan. This not only reflects India's lack of diplomatic confidence but also constitutes a futile attempt to unnecessarily involve other countries.' Some analysts believe that India's disagreement with Washington over the May 10 ceasefire with Pakistan, and Trump's renewed engagement with Islamabad, have contributed to a recent setback in ties between New Delhi and Washington under the Trump administration. Pakistan shall continue to act as a responsible member of the comity of nations, its foreign office reiterated. 'However, any act of Indian aggression or violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity will be met with an immediate and matching response,' it said. 'The onus of any ensuing escalation will rest squarely with the Indian leadership.'

Pakistan asks world to take ‘decisive action' after Israeli strike kills civilians in Gaza
Pakistan asks world to take ‘decisive action' after Israeli strike kills civilians in Gaza

Arab News

time3 hours ago

  • Arab News

Pakistan asks world to take ‘decisive action' after Israeli strike kills civilians in Gaza

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday condemned a recent Israeli airstrike that killed several civilians in Gaza, demanding the world take 'decisive action' to hold the Jewish state accountable. The statement came two days after Gaza's civil defense agency said at least 34 people, including more than a dozen civilians who were waiting to collect aid, were killed by Israeli fire. Pakistan's Foreign Office said the country strongly condemns the Israeli airstrike and extends its condolences to families of the victims, reaffirming its unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people. 'This egregious attack constitutes yet another serious violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, underscoring the scale and severity of the crimes perpetrated by the occupying power,' it said in a statement. 'The Government of Pakistan calls upon the international community to take immediate and decisive action to end Israeli impunity, ensure the protection of civilians, and hold Israel accountable for its actions.' Hours before the statement, a prominent Al Jazeera journalist, who had previously been threatened by Israel, was killed along with four colleagues in an Israeli airstrike on Sunday in an attack condemned by journalists and rights groups. 'Anas Al Sharif and his colleagues were among the last remaining voices in Gaza conveying the tragic reality to the world,' Al Jazeera said. More than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel began pounding the territory on Oct. 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack on Israel, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The Foreign Office once again reiterated Pakistan's support for the Palestinian cause and called for a just, sustainable and peaceful resolution of the Palestine issue, in line with the relevant Security Council resolutions that uphold the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. 'This includes the establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable, and contiguous Palestinian State, based on the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital,' it added.

At US reception, Pakistan army chief vows ‘crushing response' to Indian aggression — Bloomberg
At US reception, Pakistan army chief vows ‘crushing response' to Indian aggression — Bloomberg

Arab News

time5 hours ago

  • Arab News

At US reception, Pakistan army chief vows ‘crushing response' to Indian aggression — Bloomberg

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's army chief has accused India of continuing to 'create instability in the region' and warned that any aggression from New Delhi would be met with a 'crushing response,' Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing statements shared by Pakistani military officials. The remarks come less than three months after Pakistan and India fought their deadliest confrontation in decades — a four-day armed conflict in May that saw air, drone, and missile strikes, as well as artillery and small arms fire along their shared border. The clash was triggered by an April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in which gunmen killed 26 civilians. New Delhi blamed Islamabad for orchestrating the assault, an allegation Pakistan has denied. 'India is still attempting to create instability in the region,' General Asim Munir said on Friday at a dinner with members of the Pakistani diaspora in Florida, during his second visit to the US in less than two months, according to the Bloomberg report, which quoted unnamed military officials. 'Pakistan has made it clear that any Indian aggression will be met with a crushing response.' Pakistan's military released details of Munir's US speech after Indian news website ThePrint reported contentious excerpts, claiming the general had said Pakistan would target any dam India builds on the Indus River with multiple missiles and warned of the risk of nuclear conflict. ThePrint cited unidentified participants at the event and said guests were barred from carrying phones or recording devices. In response, India's Ministry of External Affairs on Monday accused Pakistan of a history of 'nuclear sabre-rattling' and questioned the credibility of its nuclear command and control. The ministry also said the comments had been made from a 'friendly third country' and insisted India would not succumb to 'nuclear blackmail.' Relations between the two neighbors — who have fought three wars and numerous skirmishes since partition in 1947 — remain tense. Pakistan has in recent months moved closer to President Donald Trump, while India's relations with Washington have cooled, Bloomberg said. Munir praised Trump for helping end the May hostilities, saying: 'Pakistan is deeply thankful to President Trump, whose strategic leadership not only averted a war between India and Pakistan but also helped stop many ongoing global conflicts.' Indian officials have denied the US leader played any such role. Over the weekend, India's air force chief said its military had shot down at least five Pakistani fighter jets during the May confrontation, offering new details on the scale of the damage. Pakistan denied any of its aircraft had been hit and says it had downed at least five Indian planes.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store