Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met European Council President Antonio Costa in Brussels on Wednesday, where the two sides discussed the GSP+ scheme, trade expansion, and ways to enhance economic cooperation. The meeting took place shortly after Dar arrived in Belgium to attend the 7th Session of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue, following his visit to Russia for the SCO summit.
According to the Foreign Office, both delegations reviewed the current state of Pakistan-EU ties and expressed satisfaction with what they described as a “positive trajectory” in the relationship. Officials from both sides agreed on the need to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors and reaffirmed their shared commitment to multilateralism.
Dar also thanked the European Union for its consistent support to Pakistan on bilateral as well as multilateral platforms.
Strategic Dialogue and Key Priorities
The two sides discussed areas of mutual importance, including trade, economic cooperation, regional and global security developments, and the future of the GSP+ arrangement. The dialogue aims to evaluate ongoing cooperation under the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan 2019.
Upon his arrival in Brussels, Dar was received by Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the EU Rahim Hayat Qureshi, and officials from the embassy.
The Foreign Office confirmed that Dar will co-chair the 7th Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue at the invitation of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. Dar is also scheduled to attend the 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum and hold several bilateral engagements with senior EU officials on the sidelines.
Calling his visit a “significant milestone” in Pakistan-EU relations, the FO said Pakistan remains committed to building a “comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership” with the European Union.
Dar’s Visit to Russia and SCO Engagements
Dar’s stop in Brussels comes after his participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting in Moscow, where he led Pakistan’s delegation. The SCO-CHG is the organisation’s second-highest decision-making body and oversees cooperation in areas including finance, trade, connectivity, commerce, and socio-economic development.
Before departing Moscow, Dar thanked the Russian government for its “warm hospitality” and appreciated the support extended by Pakistan’s embassy staff and the Foreign Office teams.
Bilateral Meetings on the Sidelines
On the sidelines of the SCO meetings, Dar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Both sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral ties and expressed satisfaction with what they described as the strong upward momentum in the relationship.
The two ministers also discussed regional and international developments and reaffirmed their intention to continue close coordination at multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the SCO.
Dar also held an informal conversation with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, during which the two reviewed bilateral ties and regional cooperation priorities.
Additionally, the deputy prime minister held separate meetings with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the sidelines of the summit.
