Strategic ties: EU military chief calls on Fatemi

PM’s assistant informs de Rousiers of Pakistan’s relations with the EU following the first Strategic Dialogue in 2012.

Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC) General Patrick de Rousiers called on the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi on Friday to discuss Pak-EU relations.

According to a press release by the Office of the Spokesman, Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani also participated in deliberations with the EU official.

The PM’s assistant informed de Rousiers of Pakistan’s relations with the European Union following the first Strategic Dialogue in 2012. He also discussed the role of the European Union — which is Pakistan’s largest trading partner, key investor and development partner — in meeting the priorities of the new government. In this context, he highlighted the need for Pakistan’s inclusion in the Generalised Scheme of Preferences – a scheme which will allow the duty-free access of Pakistani good into the continent.

During the meeting, de Rousiers discussed the expanding role of the EUMC and exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual interest with Fatemi and Jilani.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16^th, 2013.