PM desires enhanced Pakistan-EU cooperative ties

Shehbaz highlights importance of necessary steps to avert humanitarian and economic crises in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, stressing the importance Pakistan attaches to its relationship with the European Union (EU), reiterated his desire to further deepen and broaden existing bilateral cooperative ties with member states.

The prime minister expressed these views as he received a telephone call from European Council President  Charles Michel.

While recalling his earlier conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he expressed satisfaction over the current trajectory of Pakistan-EU bilateral exchanges and growing cooperation.

He also recalled Pakistan’s long-standing and highly fruitful economic and trade cooperation with the EU, including through the application of the GSP Plus facility, which had enabled Pakistan to enhance its trade with the EU, a press release issued here by the PM Media Wing said.

He also spoke of his confidence that the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan, which was an important mechanism between Pakistan and the EU, would help deepen bilateral engagement between the two sides, especially in the realms of trade, development and climate change.

On Afghanistan, the premier stressed the importance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, while also highlighting the importance and urgency of taking necessary steps to avert humanitarian and economic crises in that country.

On Ukraine, he spoke of his concern that the ongoing conflict had implications for the developing countries, while reaffirming Pakistan’s principled position on the issue.

Prime Minister Shehbaz urged the international community to remain engaged in the search of a diplomatic solution to the problem in accordance with the relevant multilateral agreements, international law and the United Nations (UN) Charter.

He highlighted the serious situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Underlining Pakistan’s commitment to promote peace in the region, including with India, the prime minister stressed that peaceful resolution of the long-standing Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the UNSC resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people, was indispensable for sustainable peace and security in South Asia.

The premier also extended a cordial invitation to the EU Council president to visit Pakistan, at an early date. APP