Joint panel meeting: Pakistan, EU to continue cooperation

EU acknowledges govt's efforts to strengthen human rights infrastructure but expressed concern on the freedom of media

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the European Union (EU) agreed on Tuesday to continue cooperation on counter-terrorism, defence, disarmament and non-proliferation after a meeting of their joint commission. According to the statement issued in the capital, the EU acknowledged the government’s efforts to strengthen human rights infrastructure but expressed concern on the freedom of media, religion and belief and the plight of women in society. Both sides emphasised the progress made in implementing the EU-Pakistan 5-year Engagement Plan and reaffirmed their common goal of augmenting dialogue and cooperation. They agreed to hold the third round of the CT dialogue and the second round of the staff talks on defence issues. Pakistan and the EU welcomed the increased market access under GSP+ and said it would increase Pakistan’s exports to Europe and produce economic growth and employment opportunities.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2014.