Brussels, 2 February 2024 (TDI): Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani met with Belgian counterpart Hadja Lahbib. Both Ministers discussed cooperation in trade, education, and people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Belgium.
Foreign Minister Jilani is currently on an official visit to Brussels to attend the 3rd EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum.
In the meeting, the two foreign ministers reviewed Pakistan-Belgium bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction on their positive trajectory.
Both sides agreed on the importance of continued engagement and collaboration to strengthen bilateral relations. They also explored new avenues of cooperation for mutual prosperity.
The two sides agreed on the importance of continued engagement and collaboration to strengthen EU-Pakistan diplomatic relations and explore new avenues of cooperation for mutual prosperity.
Meanwhile, caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani also met his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg on the sidelines of the 3rd Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Belgium. They reviewed the trajectory of Pakistan-Austria relations and agreed to further expand bilateral cooperation. They also discussed the regional developments during the meeting.
Also read: Pakistan, EU agree to further deepen bilateral relations
Moreover, the diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the European Economic Community were established in 1962.
In 1985, the European Commission opened an office in Islamabad that was upgraded 3 years later into a European Commission Delegation, including full diplomatic status and a Head of Delegation accredited as Ambassador to the Head of State of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The 13th Pakistan and European Union (EU) Joint Commission Meeting took place on 23 June in Brussels. The meeting served as an occasion to exchange views on all areas of Pakistan-EU cooperation.
The EU assured that it has a strong interest in working together and deepening its relations with Pakistan. The EU also welcomed the participation of Pakistan in the second Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum held in Stockholm.
Pakistan recognized the importance of sustained engagement, particularly in areas such as trade and development cooperation. Both sides agreed to continue cooperation on emerging challenges of food and energy security, and climate change.
Besides bilateral cooperation, both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues. Pakistan emphasized its grave concerns about the human rights and humanitarian situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The EU restate its position concerning the war against Ukraine. Both sides stressed the need to find peaceful solutions to conflicts, in full respect of the principles of international law and the UN Charter.
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