EU, Pakistan reaffirm commitment to implement ‘Strategic Engagement Plan'
Both sides aim at further deepening cooperation in all areas covered under the SEP.
The two sides also reiterated their resolve to continue close engagement under the GSP+ framework.
Pakistan signs €20mn grant deal with EU to boost governance, business environment
They acknowledged the meaningful cooperation on various aspects of migration, aiming at holding the third Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Dialogue later in 2025.
The 10th Political Dialogue between the EU and Pakistan took place on 17 July in Brussels. The dialogue covered key issues of the EU-Pakistan bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international issues, including multilateral cooperation.
Both sides agreed to deepen dialogue and discussions on security-related issues.
Besides bilateral cooperation, both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues.
The EU and Pakistan acknowledged the importance of multifaceted cooperation on security matters, including counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics. They condemned all forms of terrorism.
Both sides agreed on the need for efforts based on dialogue and diplomacy in order to solve contentious issues and underscored the importance of upholding international law and the sanctity of international agreements/treaties.
The parties exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine as well as Jammu and Kashmir. Both sides stressed the need to find peaceful solutions to conflicts, in full respect of the principles of international law and the UN Charter. They agreed on the urgent need to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Both sides called for the resumption of a ceasefire, and expressed support for initiatives that contribute to a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in Palestine in accordance with the two-state solution.
The two sides reaffirmed their aspiration to convene the 7th Strategic Dialogue in 2025, underscoring its importance in strengthening Pakistan-EU cooperation. They agreed to hold the next Political Dialogue meeting in 2026 in Islamabad.
The EU delegation was headed by Olof Skoog, Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service and the Pakistani delegation by Amna Baloch, foreign secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Dar seeks 'stable relationship' with US in meeting with Rubio
DPM Ishaq Dar meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington, DC on July 25, 2025. Photo: Foreign Office Listen to article Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Pakistan sought an 'expanded and stable' bilateral relationship with Washington, highlighting the 'strong convergences' between the two sides on several issues. Dar held talks with Rubio in Washington in their first face-to-face meeting at the State Department, following several telephonic conversations. A statement issued by the Foreign Office said that upon his arrival at the State Department, Dar was received by senior US officials. Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh accompanied him during the visit. Senior officials from both sides also joined the delegation-level talks. The discussions focused on bilateral relations and prospects for cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, technology, and minerals. Pleased to meet Secretary @MarcoRubio for a comprehensive discussion on the full spectrum of bilateral relations. We reaffirmed our commitment to the long term Pakistan-US partnership, with renewed focus on economic, trade, investment, IT/AI and CT cooperation. We also exchanged… — Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) July 25, 2025 Both sides reviewed the progress in the ongoing Pakistan-US trade dialogue, expressing optimism over positive developments. Dar highlighted Pakistan as an attractive destination for US businesses and investors. On regional security, the leaders discussed counterterrorism cooperation and broader peace efforts. Dar lauded President Donald Trump and the US leadership for their efforts to promote global peace, particularly appreciating the President's role amid recent Pakistan-India tensions. Secretary Rubio acknowledged Pakistan's sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and appreciated its positive role in promoting regional and global peace. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's desire for expanded and stable bilateral relations, underscoring that there is a strong convergence of views and shared interests between the two countries on regional peace and stability. He also appreciated the role of the Pakistani-American community as a 'bridge' between the two nations. نائب وزیر اعظم /وزیر خارجہ پاکستان محمد اسحاق ڈار کا دورہ امریکہ اور امریکی زیر خارجہ مارکو روبیو سےملاقات@MIshaqDar50 — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) July 25, 2025 Both leaders reiterated their commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties and enhance institutional cooperation in diverse sectors, expressing determination to work together for long-term stability and prosperity. This marked the first formal meeting at the foreign minister level between Pakistan and the United States in several years, as the previous administration under president Joe Biden had largely ignored Islamabad. The meeting between Dar and Rubio came against the backdrop of a renewed push by both sides to reset their ties, which have often been marred by mistrust. Contrary to expectations, under President Trump's second term, relations between the two countries took a positive turn. It was Pakistan's assistance in arresting and extraditing one of the masterminds of the Kabul Airport attack in August 2021 that led to the reset in ties with the US. President Trump publicly praised Pakistan's efforts in his first address to the US Congress. Also Read: US hosts Pakistan military chief at White House, India responds by warming to China The India-Pakistan conflict also brought the two countries closer, as Trump repeatedly took credit for brokering the ceasefire between the two South Asian rivals. Then, amid the Iran-Israel war, President Trump hosted Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the White House in an unprecedented move that raised eyebrows in New Delhi. Following the army chief's meeting at the White House, there have been increased contacts between the two countries. The meeting in Washington on Friday was seen as Pakistan's push to revive the structured mechanism between the two countries.
Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Business Recorder
FTSE 100 logs fifth straight weekly gain; investors assess earnings, data
The UK's FTSE 100 closed lower but extended its winning streak to a fifth week on Friday, while investors assessed a mixed bag of corporate earnings and awaited updates on EU-U.S. trade talks. The benchmark FTSE 100 closed 0.2% lower, but registered a weekly gain of 1.4%. The midcap FTSE 250 index also lost 0.2%, but was up 1% for the week. A market relatively shielded from U.S. tariffs, positive corporate updates, optimism over a potential EU-U.S. trade agreement, and hopes of a Bank of England rate cut had boosted the blue-chip index to all-time highs in recent days. Data showed British retail sales rose by 0.9% in June, a partial rebound from May's 2.8% plunge which was the biggest fall since December 2023. However, the increase was smaller than the median forecast of 1.2% in a Reuters poll of economists. A survey showed consumer confidence dipped this month ahead of possible tax increases later this year and households added to their savings. Construction and materials stocks led the sectoral decline, falling 1.8%, dragged down by Marshalls, which tumbled 20.6%, on downbeat full-year adjusted pre-tax profit forecast. Precious metal miners fell 1.3% and industrial miners lost 1%, weighed down by falling gold and copper prices, respectively. In corporate updates, NatWest rose 3.5% after the lender said its profit increased by 18% in the first half and the company announced a new share buyback worth 750 million pounds ($1.01 billion). Wizz Air jumped 11.5% after Barclays upgraded the budget carrier to 'overweight'. Close Brothers surged 4.9% after announcing the sale of its execution services and securities business, Winterflood, to Marex for 103.9 million pounds. On the flip side, Rightmove fell 1.8% after warning it expects sales growth in the second half of 2025 to be lower than the first half's 10%. Meanwhile, the European Union and the United States could reach a framework deal on trade this weekend, EU officials and diplomats said. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday to discuss U.S.-U.K. trade deal.
Business Recorder
4 hours ago
- Business Recorder
European shares settle lower as investors gauge mixed earnings, EU-US trade progress
European shares closed lower on Friday, as investors assessed mixed corporate earnings while awaiting updates on a framework of an EU-U.S. trade deal that officials said could be reached as early as this weekend. Investors navigated the peaks and troughs around a potential agreement between the two large economies after a busy week of trade discussions with the U.S. culminated in deals with Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The pan-European STOXX 600 index dropped 0.6% to session lows after U.S. President Donald Trump said there was less chance of an agreement with the EU, but pared losses after EU diplomats reiterated that a deal of 15% duties on European goods was still in the works. The index last closed 0.2% lower with most regional bourses in red, but on a weekly basis, the STOXX index was on track for modest gains. 'It's hard to spin it as a good deal, but it would at least avoid much higher U.S. tariffs and retaliation from the EU,' said Jack Allen-Reynolds, deputy chief euro zone economist at Capital Economics. 'The reported deal with the U.S. would take a major downside risk off the table for now, weakening the case for further interest rate cuts.' Also weighing on stocks were elevated bond yields that got a lift after the European Central Bank's comments on Thursday tempered expectations of imminent interest rate cuts. European shares close higher after ECB leaves rates unchanged Meanwhile, corporate earnings were in full swing. Puma was the biggest percentage loser on the benchmark index, falling 16%, its largest daily drop in more than four months. The sportswear brand cut its full-year outlook and reported weaker-than-expected quarterly results. London-listed sports retailer JD Sports slipped 0.7% after Puma's results. On the flip side, LVMH gained 3.9% after the French luxury group reported quarterly results, with analysts pointing to hopes on the horizon as the group said it saw signs of recovery in the Chinese market. The broader luxury index rose 1.8% and was the top sectoral performer. Automobile stocks gained 1.4%, boosted by Volkswagen's 4.6% rise after the CEO of Europe's biggest carmaker said cost cuts must be accelerated in response to tariffs. Earlier in the session, shares took a hit on the company's slashed full-year sales and profit margin forecasts. Still, Traton, a truck unit of German automaker Volkswagen, fell 4.1%. Carrefour gained 5.5% after Europe's biggest food retailer reported its half-year results. Attention next week will turn to key events, including policy decisions from the Federal Reserve, earnings from several 'Magnificent Seven' companies, and Trump's August 1 tariff deadline.
