PM reaffirms commitment to GSP+ framework

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with discussions focusing on Pakistan-EU relations, trade, regional developments and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate conflicts. Von der Leyen appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to mediate in the conflict between the United States and Iran, saying Pakistan was playing an important role in supporting de-escalation, dialogue and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. The meeting also highlighted the importance of sustained high-level engagement between Pakistan and the European Union as both sides seek to expand their growing partnership. Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union valued its partnership with Pakistan and welcomed Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts in the US-Iran conflict. She said Pakistan was playing a key role in de-escalation, dialogue and efforts aimed at achieving peaceful solutions to conflicts. She also noted that the European Union and Pakistan were working together on stability and security. In her post on X, von der Leyen said the EU’s Strategic Engagement Plan with Pakistan reflected the breadth of the partnership and a shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, human rights and civic space. She added that the two sides discussed ways to take their partnership forward, including cooperation on trade and efforts to address illegal migration. During the meeting, the leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments, with an emphasis on dialogue, diplomacy, respect for international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes. They also discussed the growing Pakistan-EU partnership and agreed on the importance of maintaining high-level contacts to provide greater direction and momentum to bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its broad-based partnership with the European Union and to fully implementing the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan. The discussions covered a range of issues, including trade, regional and global developments, stability and security, as well as cooperation between Pakistan and the European Union. The prime minister underscored the importance of the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus, or GSP Plus, for Pakistan’s trade, economic growth and employment generation. Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to continued engagement with the EU under the GSP Plus framework, which remains an important component of the country’s trade relationship with the bloc. He also emphasised the importance of sustained leadership-level engagement, saying regular high-level contacts would help deepen cooperation and strengthen the overall Pakistan-EU relationship. PM Shehbaz reiterated his invitation to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa to visit Pakistan. In his post on X, Shehbaz said he had the pleasure of meeting both European leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and described the exchange as productive. He said the discussions focused on the growing Pakistan-EU partnership and the importance of sustained high-level engagement to further deepen cooperation. Shehbaz said he had underscored the vital importance of GSP Plus for Pakistan’s trade, economic growth and employment, while reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to continued engagement with the EU under the framework. He also said the leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments and stressed the need for dialogue, diplomacy, respect for international law and peaceful resolution of disputes. The prime minister said he looked forward to welcoming both European leaders to Pakistan and working closely with the EU leadership to take the mutually beneficial partnership to new heights. In her own X post, von der Leyen described the meeting with Shehbaz as “very good” and reiterated that the EU values its partnership with Pakistan. She said the Strategic Engagement Plan reflected the breadth of bilateral ties and a shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, human rights and civic space. Von der Leyen also said Pakistan and the EU work together on stability and security, while thanking Shehbaz for Pakistan’s initiative to mediate in the conflict between the US and Iran. She said Pakistan was playing an important role in supporting de-escalation, dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution, while the two sides also discussed trade and addressing illegal migration.

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