EU, Pakistan seal new strategic engagement plan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the European Union (EU) on Monday agreed to a new strategic engagement plan for building a sturdy partnership in the fields of defence, trade, democracy, governance and human rights.

The agreement to this effect was reached during the fourth round of Strategic Dialogue between Pakistan and the EU here. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi led the Pakistani side, while Federica Mogherini, EU Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice President of the European Commission, headed the EU side.

Addressing a joint press conference with Mogherini, the foreign minister said the framework of new EU engagement plan and the agenda of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government were too much similar in terms of human investment and economy.

He said the present government was eager to enhance exports to Europe in order to fix the trade deficit. “We are interested in creating more jobs for the Pakistani youth through this increasing trading relationship with the EU,” he added.

To a question, he said the trade with the EU had doubled after grant of GSP Plus status to Pakistan in 2013. “We have not actually utilised this facility to its maximum in the past, but our government intends to use it to the fullest as it is available to Pakistan till 2023,” he added.

Qureshi said he also informed the EU delegation about the steps taken by Pakistan to fulfill the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) commitments as well as the steps taken to cleanse the tribal belt, evolution of the National Action Plan (NAP) and the concrete measures taken by Pakistan armed forces in combating terrorism.

He said he also informed the EU delegation about Pakistan’s stance on engaging India in dialogue as it was the only way to go forward. “We have always demonstrated restraint to avoid escalation between two nuclear powers,” he said, adding: “Both the sides were convinced that the solution lay in the dialogue process only.” The EU representative said the current round of dialogue was an exception as the new strategic partnership plan would lay a strong foundation for partnership between Pakistan and the EU to boost their economic cooperation in the days to come. She said trade with Pakistan had doubled in the last few years as Pakistani companies were enjoying great market access in the EU countries.

Mogherini appreciated Pakistan’s stance on de-escalating tension with India and crackdown of the Pakistani security forces against the terrorists. She said the EU also appreciated Pakistan’s generosity towards the Afghan refugees as it was a great challenge to host such a huge number of refugees. She said the EU fully supported Pakistan in its efforts and the role being played by it in the Afghan peace process.

To a question, the EU representative said Islamophobia was a threat for the entire world and not just for one particular segment of society. “Our strength lies in diversity of our social fabric,” she said, adding it was EU’s priority to make sure that Islamophobia did not find any place in its member countries. Any kind of violence on the basis of religion, identity, language, belief or background was unacceptable, she added.

Mogherini also expressed condolence for drought victims in southern Pakistan and also for those killed in the terrorist attacks in New Zealand.

It may be mentioned here that on March 21, the fifth round of Pakistan-EU Political Dialogue was co-chaired in Brussels by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service Jean-Christophe Belliard.