Islamabad, 25 July 2022 (TDI): European Union Ambassador to Pakistan, Riina Kionka, had the first meeting with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Today 🇪🇺Ambassador @RKionka held her first meeting with Foreign Minister @BBhuttoZardari. Both discussed enhancing 🇪🇺-🇵🇰 bilateral relations, GSP+, regional stability, incl. the precarious situation in 🇦🇫 & 🇺🇦.#EUPK60 #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/TKXJI4RFEU
— EUPakistan (@EUPakistan) July 25, 2022
The Agenda of the discussion was to enhance the bilateral ties between Pakistan and the European Union, EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), and Regional stability. They also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and Ukraine.
Thanks @BBhuttoZardari for the discussion…and the selfie! @asadmk17 @WiegandEU @EU_Partnerships @eu_eeas @OlaiVoionmaa https://t.co/yRN55bQTi7 pic.twitter.com/bSCMcoQl0I
— Riina Kionka (@RKionka) July 25, 2022
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto, also tweeted about the meeting. He stated that it was a pleasure to meet Riina Kionka. Further, he added that they both expressed satisfaction with the relationship’s upward trajectory.
Pleased to receive today EU Amb @RKionka -Highlighted the imp of Pak-EU rels & expressed satisfaction on the upward trajectory of the relationship
-Discussed existing mechanisms of 🇵🇰 🇪🇺 cooperation & regional and global matters. pic.twitter.com/BcCcqXDNql— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) July 25, 2022
Riina Kionka
On 1st July 2022, Riina Kionka presented her credentials to the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi. She is serving as an EU Ambassador to Pakistan.
In a meeting with the President of Pakistan, the EU delegation’s Ambassador to Pakistan stated that Pakistan valued its relations with the EU and was pleased that Pak-EU relations were progressing in all areas of coordination.
Economic and trade ties are a key feature of Pakistan and the EU’s multifaceted relationship.
European Union and Pakistan
The relationship between the EU and Pakistan is based on sixty years of Experience.
In addition to trade and development assistance, relations between the EU and Pakistan include political and security cooperation.
In addition, Pakistan’s main trading partner and the largest export destination remains the EU. The EU is also a major source of development assistance for Pakistan.
The 2004 Cooperation Agreement governs bilateral trade relations between the EU and Pakistan. Improving bilateral trade and investment is also part of the EU-Pakistan 5-year Engagement Plan, launched in 2012.
Pakistan is a major beneficiary of the EU Generalised System of Preferences’ trading opportunities (GSP). Since January 1, 2014, Pakistan has benefited from generous tariff preferences under the GSP+ agreement, which aims to support sustainable development and good governance. The EU’s Generalised System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) provides a special incentive for developing countries to pursue sustainable development and good governance.
