Brussels, 24 June 2023 (TDI): In a significant milestone, the 13th Pakistan-European Union (EU) Joint Commission Meeting took place in Brussels, further enhancing the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the EU.
Kazim Niaz, Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) of Pakistan, and Paula Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director of the European Union, actively co-chaired the esteemed session.
The meeting reviewed the progress made under the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP). It was signed in 2019.
Deliberations and Decisions
During the productive meeting, both sides deliberated on crucial aspects of cooperation. This resulted in the formalization of comprehensive conclusions across key sub-groups focused on development, trade, governance, and human rights.
This substantial achievement underscores the shared commitment of Pakistan and the EU. Pakistan and the EU actively dedicate themselves to fostering sustainable development, bolstering trade relations, and promoting good governance and human rights practices.
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One of the key highlights of the meeting was the fruitful discussion on exploring new areas of cooperation. Recognizing the evolving global landscape and the need for continuous innovation, both Pakistan and the EU expressed their mutual interest in identifying fresh avenues for collaboration.
This forward-thinking approach will undoubtedly contribute to the growth of bilateral ties and open up exciting prospects for joint initiatives in diverse fields.
13th 🇵🇰 🇪🇺 Joint Commission mtg was held in Brussels. Secretary EAD Dr Kazim Niaz & Deputy MD Paula Pampaloni co-chaired the session.
Both sides:
📌Formalized conclusions under sub-grps on development, trade & governance/HR
📌Discussed exploring new areas of cooperation pic.twitter.com/2c7GbVUVLr— Pakistan Embassy Belgium (@EmbassyPakBel) June 24, 2023
Sub-Group Meetings on Development and Trade
During the 13th Pakistan-EU Joint Commission, the Sub-Groups on Development and Trade met on June 20 and 21, respectively. During the discussions, a wide range of topics was covered, including the Pakistan-EU Development Partnership, GSP Plus, upcoming schemes, and market access.
Additionally, discussions also focused on democracy, governance, the rule of law, and human rights. On June 22, the Plenary Session focused on migration, climate change, and cooperation in education, culture, science, and IT. These meetings showcased the commitment of both parties to strengthening ties and addressing shared concerns.
Role of the Pakistan-EU Joint Commission
In 2007, both Pakistan and the European Union actively formed the Pakistan-EU Joint Commission to strengthen their cooperation. The Pakistan-EU Joint Commission plays an important role in determining the key areas for development cooperation.
Additionally, it suggests ways to achieve these goals and objectives. The commission actively ensures the proper implementation of agreements reached in different sectors. By working together through this commission, Pakistan and the EU aim to improve their partnership and accomplish shared development objectives.
