Islamabad (TDI): The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Pakistan celebrated Europe Day – the anniversary of the historic Schuman Declaration – with a reception event in the capital city.
The day is celebrated each year on May 9th and is a commemoration that resonates worldwide as EU missions organize events to display unity and the essence of European integration.
The celebration in Islamabad emphasized the long-standing partnership between the EU and Pakistan, focusing on shared values of peace, democracy and sustainable development. Federal Minister for Power, Sardar Ahmad Khan Leghari, attended the event as the chief guest.
The EU Ambassador to Pakistan, Riina Kionka, highlighted that the collaboration extends across vital sectors including trade, climate action and education highlighting the EU’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s socio economic growth.
The event also featured a cake-cutting ceremony and presentations that showcased the collective impact of the EU and its member states under the “Team Europe” initiative.
Ambassador Kionka stressed that the EU remains Pakistan’s largest export destination through the GSP+ status which has been essential in boosting bilateral trade and creating local employment.
As we count down to #EuropeDay, we came together to celebrate what unites us 🇪🇺
Partnership, dialogue and shared ambition – because our futures are stronger together.
Our sincere thanks to Federal Minister for Power @akleghari for joining us as Chief Guest.
🇪🇺🤝🇵🇰 @KaroblisR pic.twitter.com/fXFf4Msckb
— EUPakistan (@EUPakistan) May 7, 2026
Officials from the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic corps also attended the event, and acknowledged the importance of multilateralism in addressing contemporary global challenges such as economic instability and environmental degradation.
A significant part of the celebration was dedicated to the “Green Global Gateway” initiative, which aims to mobilize investments for sustainable infrastructure in Pakistan.
The EU delegation noted that recent collaborative projects in renewable energy and water management are practical examples of the depth of the relationship.
The event also celebrated the success of the Erasmus+ program which continues to provide hundreds of Pakistani students with the opportunity to seek higher education in European universities, enhancing cultural exchange and academic excellence.
The spirit of Europe Day extended beyond South Asia, as the Delegation of the European Union to Saudi Arabia also celebrated the occasion in Riyadh.
The EU Ambassador Christophe Farnaud emphasized the importance of collective cooperation, noting that deeper engagement between Europe and Saudi Arabia is essential for addressing regional instability, energy security and economic transformation.
This event reflected an expanding relationship, with bilateral trade reaching €90 billion in 2024 and more than 2,500 European companies currently operating in the Saudi market.
The dual celebrations in Islamabad and Riyadh highlighted the European Union’s commitment to strengthening cultural, political and economic ties across regions.
Muhammad Usman Hashmi is a researcher in International Relations, focusing on climate diplomacy, global governance, and political economy in the Global South. He has contributed to policy dialogues with the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia and serves as a Senior Research Fellow at the International Council on Human Rights, Peace and Politics. He is also associated with Rethinking Economics Islamabad, contributing to research on development and sustainability.
