ISLAMABAD: European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas on Monday described Pakistan as a major regional power and an important partner for the European Union, as both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation during the 8th Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad.
Addressing a joint press conference with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar after co-chairing the strategic dialogue, Kallas said the two sides had agreed to further strengthen their partnership across various sectors, including trade, investment, climate resilience, digital infrastructure, migration and mobility.
She noted that the European Union remained Pakistan’s largest export destination and reaffirmed the bloc’s support for expanding economic engagement under the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) framework.
Kallas is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of Deputy PM Dar. Both co-chaired the 8th Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue, which is the highest-level platform for structured discussion between the two sides.
Addressing a joint press conference, Kallas said, “Today, in our strategic dialogue, we affirmed our shared commitment to strengthening EU-Pakistan ties even further.”
Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Iran have helped prevent a return to full-blown war.
The EU is ready to contribute to a sustainable and peaceful resolution.
We bring economic leverage, hard-won nuclear expertise, longstanding relationships with Gulf… pic.twitter.com/3w5nUQd4zy
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) June 1, 2026
Kallas noted that her visit to Pakistan came at an “important moment”, adding that the “world and this region have experienced profound changes” since the two sides met in November last year.
Pakistan-EU cooperation on wide range of issues
The Vice-President of the European Commission pointed out that the EU remained “by far Pakistan’s largest export destination”, adding that it was larger than the US and China combined.
She further said Pakistan was the “world’s leading beneficiary” of the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).
Kallas said Pakistan and the EU were deepening cooperation on a wide range of issues, including climate resilience, digital infrastructure, clean energy, migration and mobility.
She said that people-to-people links were also an “important part” of the partnership.
“I’m also impressed that Pakistan tops the EU’s global Erasmus Mundus Scholarships rankings again, the fifth year in a row,” she said.
Recognition of Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace
Providing details of the dialogue, the visiting diplomat said she and Deputy PM Dar exchanged views on “pressing global developments, including in the Middle East”.
Noting Pakistan was the “main mediator” between the US and Iran, Kallas told Dar: “Your diplomatic efforts have helped prevent a return to full-blown war on several occasions, and these efforts are much recognised and appreciated across Europe.”
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
She added, “With your support, there is now a tenuous diplomatic opening to extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Yet, any temporary understanding between the US and Iran must be followed by deeper talks about Tehran’s nuclear stockpile and other critical issues.”
“Lasting stability will require more encompassing solutions,” she emphasised, affirming that the EU was ready to contribute to a sustainable and peaceful solution.
“We bring economic leverage, hard-won nuclear expertise, long-standing relationships with partners across the Gulf and direct engagement with Iran itself,” Kallas said.
“I see a concrete role for the EU in helping to make any eventual agreement durable, whether through maritime operations, economic incentives that support long-term stability or other issues,” the European Commission’s Vice-President said.
The EU foreign policy chief also noted that Pakistan had been “locked in a conflict with Afghanistan”, adding that the fighting in recent weeks had “grave humanitarian consequences and also risks fuelling further instability and radicalisation”.
“This is why we have constantly called on both sides to exercise restraint and de-escalation. Pakistan has the right to defend itself and its people in line with international law,” she said.
‘Growing momentum in Pakistan-EU partnership’
Speaking at the joint press conference, Deputy PM Dar termed Kallas’s visit a “significant milestone” in Pakistan-EU bilateral relations.
Deputy PM Dar said that the gap between the last EU-Pakistan dialogue in November 2025 and this one was “probably in our history the minimum between any two states”.
He noted that the last visit by the EU high representative took place in 2019, followed by “virtually no visits for seven years”.
Therefore, he added, Kallas’s visit “signifies the growing momentum in Pakistan-EU partnership”.
Dar noted that the EU high representative has remained his “frequent interlocutor”, adding that their candid exchanges reflected the trust between Pakistan and the EU.
“We have been constantly in touch during the last year’s India-Pakistan war, and so are we in touch during the regional conflict between the US and Iran,” Dar said.
“We believe that the EU as an institution embodies the universal ideals of peace, diplomacy, democracy and commitment to human rights,” he said, affirming that Islamabad remained committed to constructive engagement with the EU and its member states.
During the dialogue, Dar said, both sides took stock of progress made on cooperation under the sectors outlined in the Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP) 2019, including trade, investment, development, human rights, and rule of law, migration and mobility, and security and counterterrorism.
Deputy PM Dar further noted that the EU was among Pakistan’s major trading partners, with a trade volume of €12 billion.
“Pakistan-EU trade cooperation under the GSP+ framework is a win-win template,” the Deputy PM remarked.
“Our discussions today focused on further enhancing bilateral trade and investment ties between the EU and Pakistan,” Dar reiterated, detailing that both sides also assessed the “first-ever Pakistan-EU Business Forum in April as a welcome development”.
Dar expressed hope that the business forum could become a “regular feature” of Pakistan-EU ties.
In-depth discussion on regional and global issues
The Deputy PM said the two also held an “in-depth” discussion on regional and global issues, which included the “US-Iran conflict, the security situation in South Asia, Afghanistan, Europe and the Middle East”.
Dar expressed appreciation to the Kallas for the EU’s “appreciation and support” of Pakistan’s efforts in the US-Iran conflict.
“We are humbled by the recognition of our efforts and will continue to work towards finding a comprehensive and lasting solution to the conflict,” Dar told Kallas.
On Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir, Dar said he “apprised her excellency of our concerns regarding unprovoked Indian aggression and Pakistan’s principal position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, advocating for its resolution according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people in line with UN Security Council resolutions”.
The Deputy PM also briefed the EU high representative on Pakistan’s position on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), recalling the May 15 supplemental award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).
“Pakistani position on IWT stands vindicated after the court of arbitration’s supplemented award in the IWT proceedings arising from the Ratle and Kishanganga hydroelectric plant disputes.
“The award affirms Pakistan’s central position that the treaty places substantive limits on India’s water control capability on the western rivers,” Dar emphasised.
Terrorist threat emanating from Afghan soil
The two sides also discussed security issues, particularly the terrorist threat.
Dar said that the terrorist threat was emanating from the Afghan soil, stressing that the continued attacks remained a “top concern” for Pakistan.
Dar said that he also urged the need for the “strengthening multilateralism and consistent adherence to the fundamental principles of the UN charter”.
He outlined the need “to address the existing and emerging international challenges in an effective and credible manner”.
Shifting his attention back to relations with the EU, Dar said that the two sides had reaffirmed their “resolve to transform these relations into a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership”.
Concluding his remarks, Deputy PM Dar voiced optimism that the Kallas’s visit will be “one of the many” she will undertake to Pakistan in the future.
‘Untapped potential in cooperation’
During their meeting, Dar and Kallas “acknowledged the positive trajectory of Pakistan-EU ties and agreed to further strengthen the mutually beneficial partnership”, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said.
“The two leaders also exchanged views [on] regional and global developments, ahead of the 8th Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue which is being held subsequently,” it added.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with the EU HR/VP Ms. Kaja Kallas @kajakallas, today in Islamabad.
During the meeting, both sides acknowledged the positive trajectory of Pakistan-EU ties and agreed to further strengthen the… pic.twitter.com/xJAVuE3MG0
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 1, 2026
In opening remarks before the dialogue, Dar said, “We have a great relationship with the EU; there is a great history. Pakistan sees considerable untapped potential in our cooperation.”
He noted, “We have a number of areas where we can work together, particularly trade and many other areas.”
Dar stressed the need to maintain a frequency of six months’ gap in strategic dialogues, as was the case between the current and the last dialogue.
“We hold deep appreciation for the EU leadership and your engagement, particularly,” Dar said.
He added that he and Kallas remained in touch on various matters, including the Pakistan-India conflict last year and the ongoing US-Iran war.
“We keep exchanging notes, and you have been very kind,” Dar remarked. “I think this interaction is very welcome,” he added.
Deputy PM Dar mentioned an EU “strategic vision, which aims at providing long-term direction and strategic cooperation toward partnership”.
“Building upon the Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP) 2019 and Cooperation Agreement 2004, the proposed vision seeks to elevate our engagement into a more comprehensive and forward-looking framework,” Dar stated.
Greater momentum in Pakistan-EU relations
He added that the “vision document can serve as an important foundation for deepening political understanding, expanding sectoral cooperation and strengthening institutional linkages between Pakistan and the EU”.
Dar highlighted that the continuation of the strategic dialogue “demonstrates our shared resolve to impart greater momentum to Pakistan-EU relations and to shape a forward-looking partnership”.
He remarked that the two sides had “great discussions” in the restricted meetings.
The Deputy PM expressed the hope that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen would find some time to visit Pakistan, as there was a standing invitation from the prime minister.
In her opening remarks, Kallas welcomed the “strong momentum for EU-Pakistan trade relations”.
“EU remains by far Pakistan’s largest export destination, and I was surprised to hear that it’s actually more than the US and China combined, so we really are your market,” the diplomat pointed out.
Kallas said: “This is really showing that the partnership is not only commercially significant, but it’s also a driver of growth. And beyond trade and investment, there are areas where we can explore the deepening of our ties, when it comes to resilience building, climate, digital infrastructure, and migration mobility.
“These are investments in long-term partnership and really looking forward to our discussions today about the regional but also global developments and how we can develop our relationship even further.”
Kallas lauds Pakistan’s role in US-Iran talks
Kallas also commended Dar on “facilitating the talks between the US and Iran”.
“It is a conflict that is having an impact on everybody and the world when it comes to the energy prices, prices of fertilisers, and so this is really what we need to see — the ceasefire really holding and the talks continuing,” she stressed.
Kallas mentioned Deputy PM Dar’s “consistent” invitations to her to visit Pakistan. “As you know, in these calendars there are too few days, but we found this day, and I’m happy that we are here,” she said.
The visiting EU top diplomat said the “momentum of 2026 is to develop EU-Pakistan relations into a more forward-looking footing”.
She added: “We have this contested geopolitical environment, rising tensions everywhere and real risk of escalation, and like we were discussing, we also share the priorities when it comes to the rules-based international order that we need to develop further.
“We are working towards global and regional stability, which is in both of our interests. We also promote free and fair trade and investment, and advance sustainable connectivity.”
Earlier in the day, Kallas was welcomed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Dar and other officials.
‘Multidimensional partnership with EU’
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Kallas’s visit reflects the growing momentum in high-level political exchanges and both sides’ commitment to further strengthening their multifaceted partnership.
“Pakistan deeply values its long-standing, multidimensional partnership with the European Union, which is anchored in shared values, robust economic cooperation, and a mutual commitment to multilateralism,” the Foreign Office said.
🔊PR No.1️⃣3️⃣7️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Curtain Raiser: Visit of the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Ms. Kaja Kallas to Pakistan, 1 June, 2026
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/OSjrWXiX8Y
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 31, 2026
Kallas will also held meetings with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
