ISLAMABAD: The European Union on Monday expressed strong support for Pakistan’s role to mediate between the United States and Iran, European Council President Antonio Costa said following a telephone call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
During the call, Costa described the discussion as “good” and expressed that the EU is “gravely concerned over the prolongation of the war and its increasing global impact,” according to a statement posted on X by the European Council President.
Costa said the EU supports all mediation efforts and stressed that “only dialogue and diplomacy can bring peace and stability back to the Middle East, in full respect of the UN Charter and international law.”
Good call today with the Prime Minister of Pakistan @CMShehbaz Sharif to hear his assessment on the Iran war, as well as the outcome of the recent consultations between the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye held in Islamabad.
The EU…
— António Costa (@eucopresident) March 30, 2026
Prime Minister Sharif said that he briefed Costa on Pakistan’s ongoing mediation efforts, adding that the EU President welcomed and supported Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts.
PM Sharif’s statement on X said: “We exchanged views on the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East and agreed that dialogue and diplomacy must prevail in order to restore regional peace and stability. I briefed him on Pakistan’s ongoing mediation efforts, which he welcomed and supported.”
Received a telephone call from H.E. António Costa, President of the European Council, this afternoon.
We exchanged views on the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East and agreed that dialogue and diplomacy must prevail in order to restore regional peace and stability.
I…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) March 30, 2026
Islamabad has moved a step closer to hosting high-stakes talks between Iran and the United States.
On Sunday, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that Washington and Tehran have expressed confidence in Islamabad’s role as a facilitator.
The development follows a quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad on Sunday, where the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt joined Pakistan to discuss the escalating Middle East crisis and pathways to de-escalation.
Speaking after the meeting, Dar said Pakistan would be “honoured” to host “meaningful talks between the two sides in the coming days”, signalling that diplomatic groundwork has already advanced beyond a preliminary offer.
“Both Iran and the United States have expressed their confidence in Pakistan to facilitate the talks,” Dar said, adding that the aim would be a “comprehensive and lasting settlement” of the ongoing conflict.
Iran-US expressed confidence in Pakistan to facilitate peace talks: FM Dar pic.twitter.com/EdEIWQxxYT
— Pakistan TV Digital (@PakistanTVcom) March 29, 2026
Wider global support strengthens Pakistan’s role
The Islamabad moot — the second such consultation after an earlier round in Riyadh this month — produced unified regional backing for Pakistan’s mediation effort.
Dar said Pakistan’s initiative to host Iran-US talks has received broad international backing, including support from China following talks with Wang Yi and from the United Nations Secretary-General.
“I had a detailed telephonic conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. China fully supports Pakistan’s initiative to host Iran-US talks. Similarly, I had a telephonic conversation with the Secretary General of the United Nations. The Secretary General has expressed his full support for the peace initiative by Pakistan,” Dar said.
He added that multiple countries have expressed confidence in Pakistan’s efforts, reflecting strong global support for Islamabad’s push to facilitate dialogue and achieve a lasting peace, while calling for continued international backing to ensure the success of the initiative.
“Pakistan will require prayers and support of the entire international community for the success of its endeavour to achieve peace and bring a permanent end to this war,” Dar added.
🔊PR No.8️⃣2️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Statement by the Deputy Prime Minister /Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar at the Conclusion of 2nd Meeting of Four Foreign Ministers
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/JpUbUdhzLb
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 29, 2026
China backs Pakistan’s mediation role
China has expressed full support for Pakistan’s efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran, calling on both sides to begin peace talks “as soon as possible,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Monday.
“We appreciate Pakistan’s efforts to help de-escalate the situation and support Pakistan in continuing to play a mediating role,” spokeswoman Mao told a daily briefing in Beijing.
She added that China is ready to coordinate with Pakistan and other relevant parties “to jointly promote peace and cease hostilities to safeguard regional peace and stability.”
Mao emphasised that military action will not resolve the conflict. “Military means will not solve the root cause. The conflict serves no one’s interests,” she said.
Strengthening Pakistan-EU relations
The conversation also addressed bilateral ties, including the significance of the EU’s GSP Plus programme and the upcoming Pakistan-EU Business Forum in Islamabad, scheduled for the end of April.
Prime Minister Sharif said he looks forward to visiting Brussels at a mutually convenient date and conveyed good wishes to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
