ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with the European Union in key areas, including trade, investment, climate change, security, migration, sustainable development, and connectivity.
Prime Minister Sharif was talking to the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, in Islamabad, according to a statement issued by the Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office.
Islamabad: June 1, 2026.
H.E. Ms. Kaja Kallas, European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, at the Prime Minister House today.
Deputy Prime Minister… pic.twitter.com/NrjAwfpcZj
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) June 1, 2026
Kaja Kallas is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
During the meeting, PM Sharif underscored the important role of GSP+ in ensuring stronger trade ties between Pakistan and the European Union.
Prime Minister Sharif said that Pakistan is keen to further strengthen the multifaceted partnership with the European Union.
European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission H.E. Ms. Kaja Kallas called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on 1 June 2026. pic.twitter.com/7L9xq9rZja
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) June 1, 2026
Discussions also focused on the regional and international situation, as Pakistan is leading diplomatic efforts to permanently end the conflict between the United States and Iran.
The Prime Minister thanked the EU leadership for its strong support for Pakistan’s peace efforts in the Middle East region.
PM Sharif said that Deputy PM Dar and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir are playing a crucial role in these efforts.
The Prime Minister laid special emphasis on the need for the international community, including the EU, to work collectively to ensure lasting peace in the region.
PM Sharif also shared Pakistan’s perspective on the regional situation in South Asia, as well as on Afghanistan, with the EU High Representative.
He also conveyed his best wishes to President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, as well as to President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and reiterated his invitations to both leaders to visit Pakistan soon.
In her remarks, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas appreciated the role played by Pakistan for regional peace and conveyed the EU’s strong interest in deepening strategic engagement with Pakistan.
Earlier, Kaja Kallas and Ishaq Dar co-chaired the 8th session of the Pakistan–EU Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad.
During the dialogue, Pakistan and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and charted a future course for further deepening cooperation across trade, investment, migration, and regional stability.
Both sides reviewed progress made under the Pakistan–EU Strategic Engagement Plan and explored new avenues to expand collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 and EU HR/VP Ms. Kaja Kallas @kajakallas co-chaired the 8th Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad today.
The two sides held comprehensive discussions on Pakistan-EU relations including trade and… pic.twitter.com/iaBaG3QJbb
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 1, 2026
The Dialogue provided an opportunity to review the entire spectrum of Pakistan–EU relations, assess progress made under the Strategic Engagement Plan, and chart a future course for further deepening bilateral cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
During the extensive delegation-level discussions, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening their multidimensional partnership.
The discussions centred on expanding trade and economic cooperation, including under the GSP+ framework, and enhancing bilateral investment, particularly following the success of the first EU–Pakistan Business Forum held in Islamabad in April this year.
The two leaders also reviewed ongoing cooperation under the Pakistan–EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue.
Both sides emphasised the importance of promoting legal pathways for migration and talent partnerships, while effectively addressing irregular migration through structured pathways.
The Deputy PM Dar and the EU foreign policy chief also held in-depth discussions on regional and global developments of mutual concern.
Ishaq Dar briefed the EU side on Pakistan’s constructive and facilitative role in promoting regional peace and stability. The EU side reiterated its appreciation for Pakistan’s mediation efforts.
Both sides underscored the importance of dialogue, adherence to international law, and multilateralism in addressing contemporary global challenges and maintaining regional stability.
During the visit, the EU foreign policy chief also called on Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
During the meetings, the leadership of both sides expressed satisfaction with the upward trajectory of bilateral ties, exchanged views on regional developments, and emphasised the importance of maintaining regular high-level exchanges.
The visit of the EU foreign policy chief contributed to further strengthening the Pakistan–EU partnership and provided an important opportunity to deepen cooperation across all areas of mutual interest, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
Both sides agreed to hold the ninth session of the Pakistan–EU Strategic Dialogue next year in Brussels.
