Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan and the European Union have agreed to strengthen cooperation at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, to promote a coordinated international response to terrorism, as both sides expressed concern over the security implications of the situation in Afghanistan.
The understanding was reached during the 10th round of the Pakistan-EU Bilateral Counterterrorism Dialogue, held in Islamabad, according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Thursday.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Dr Fareha Bugti, Director General for Counterterrorism, while the EU delegation was headed by Anna Strazska, the European External Action Service’s Special Envoy for Counterterrorism.
During the dialogue, officials exchanged views on recent regional and international developments shaping the terrorist threat landscape. Both sides unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and reaffirmed their commitment to combating the threat through cooperation and coordinated action.
The EU condemned recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, expressed solidarity with affected civilians and acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to counter terrorism, the Foreign Office said.
The two sides also recognized each other’s role in the international campaign against terrorism and expressed concern over the security implications of developments in Afghanistan.
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The discussions highlighted the changing methods used by terrorist groups, including their exploitation of cyberspace, information systems and energy resources to advance their objectives.
Pakistan and the EU exchanged best practices on preventing and countering violent extremism, terrorist financing and radicalization. Particular attention was given to the use of cyberspace by terrorist organizations for activities linked to recruitment, propaganda and the advancement of extremist objectives.
The dialogue also examined priority areas for future cooperation, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to regular and institutionalized engagement.
According to the Foreign Office, the two parties agreed that effective multilateralism remains essential to building a lasting international consensus on counterterrorism. They also agreed to strengthen coordination through international platforms, including the United Nations, to promote a more coherent approach to addressing terrorist threats.
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The next round of the bilateral dialogue is scheduled to take place in Brussels next year on a mutually convenient date. The dialogue comes as Pakistan faces an evolving counterterrorism challenge, with authorities raising concerns about militant financing, recruitment and the activities of armed groups operating from neighbouring Afghanistan.
