ISLAMABAD: European Union and Pakistan have emphasized on enhancing cooperation in education, culture, science and technology, agriculture, food security, and quality standards.
The two sides discussed the means of cooperation during the 12th EU-Pakistan Joint Commission in Islamabad this month.
The EU expressed solidarity with the people affected by unprecedented floods ravaging the country and informed about its contribution to addressing the most urgent needs of the affected people. Pakistan expressed appreciation for the EU’s and its member states’ support in mobilizing funds of 123 million euros as well as in-kind assistance for relief and recuse efforts. Pakistan also emphasized the need for additional assistance for the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase.
The two sides agreed to further cooperate to address climate change related challenges.
The participants of the meeting emphasized the significance of EU-Pakistan trade ties and noted that the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) resulted in an increase in bilateral trade to 12.2 billion euros last year. They exchanged views to address issues hampering trade and investment.
The EU also appreciated Pakistan’s legislation on the protection of women’s and children’s rights, the protection of transgender persons as well as the protection of journalists.
Besides bilateral cooperation, both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues including Afghanistan and Jammu & Kashmir. They stressed the need to find peaceful solutions to conflicts, in full respect of the principles of international law and the UN Charter.
The EU welcomed the progress made by Pakistan in the implementation of the Financial Action Task Force action plans. It was agreed that the next session of the EU-Pakistan Joint Commission would be held in Brussels next year.
