Pakistan to implement GSP related conventions: FM

Qureshi tells EU team Strategic Engagement Plan has laid strong basis for two-way cooperation

ISLAMABAD:

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment on Wednesday to an effective implementation of the international conventions related to the European Union’s (EU) Generalised System of Preferences-Plus (GSP+).

Talking to a visiting EU Parliament’s delegation for relations with the South Asian countries, led by Nicola Procaccini, Qureshi said the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP) laid a solid foundation and framework for multidimensional cooperation between the two sides.

The foreign minister stressed the need for regular interactions between the two sides. He said that the GSP+ facility to Pakistan played an important role in the growth of the bilateral trade. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to effective implementation of the GSP+ related conventions.

During the meeting, views were exchanged on various aspects of the Pakistan-EU relations and regional and international developments, the Foreign Office said. Qureshi reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to continue to work with the EU for a productive and constructive partnership.

The foreign minister highlighted the enormous potential in diverse areas, such as commerce, sustainable development and climate change. He stressed the importance of translating them into tangible outcomes to further deepen Pakistan-EU relations.

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The two sides also exchanged views on the latest developments in Afghanistan. The foreign minister highlighted that Pakistan had suffered the most due to conflict and instability in Afghanistan over the last 40 years and that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s vital interest.

The foreign minister appreciated that there was a realisation in the international community to engage with Afghanistan. He underlined that a humanitarian crisis and economic collapse in Afghanistan could have enormous consequences.

He stressed that the Afghan people should not be abandoned and that the international community should remain positively engaged to advance shared objectives of peace, security, development, and connectivity.

The foreign minister highlighted Pakistan’s efforts, including its initiative of establishing the platform of six neighbouring countries of Afghanistan. He also briefed the visiting delegation about Pakistan’s assistance in the EU’s evacuation endeavours from Afghanistan.

Qureshi apprised the delegation of the grave human rights violations in IIOJK. He stressed that Pakistan desired good relations with all neighbours. He highlighted Pakistan’s efforts for peace in the region and stressed that the onus was on India to create an enabling environment for result-oriented engagement.

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Both sides agreed to further enhance interaction in diverse areas through various established mechanisms and high-level exchanges. The EU delegation thanked Pakistan for its assistance in the EU’s evacuation efforts of its nationals from Afghanistan.

The EU delegation, currently on a three-day visit to Pakistan, also held extensive meetings with other government functionaries. The visit is a part of regular interactions between the two sides.