Abu Dhabi, 7 November 2022 (TDI): Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and European Union (EU) High Representative met on 5 November 2022, at Sir Bani Yas Forum 2022 in United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar met with Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Enrique Mora, the Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs of the European External Action Service.
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan expressed satisfaction with the evolving, diverse relationship between Pakistan and the EU.
He pointed out that recent engagements between the two sides, such as the Joint Commission meeting held in Islamabad last month and the visit of members of the European Parliament this week, have kept the bilateral relationship on a favorable trajectory.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also praised the humanitarian aid (133 million Euros) provided to Pakistan by the EU and its member states in the wake of the recent floods brought on by climate change.
He informed the EU High Representative of the significant challenge that Pakistan’s rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts offer.
In this vein, he urged the international community to step forward and guarantee Pakistan receives climate justice. The Foreign Minister received the High Representative’s unwavering support as he takes on the difficult task.
The EU High Representative, Josep Borrell on his part also expressed solidarity over the devastating flood condition in Pakistan.
He stated it is crucial that the EU collaborates closely with Pakistan on climate-resilient rehabilitation, promoting trade, tackling issues relating to migration, and international rules-based order, regional issues, and security.
The GSP Plus program, which benefits both Pakistan and the EU, was also discussed by the Foreign Minister and the EU High Representative.
The Foreign Minister believed that both Pakistan and the EU will gain from it in the future as well as its successor regime.
The High Representative praised Pakistan’s accomplishments in putting into practice the global agreements covered by the GSP plus program.
After Pakistan was removed from the FATF grey list last month, the Foreign Minister encouraged the High Representative to request that the EU remove Pakistan as soon as possible from its list of nations with strategic shortcomings in their AML/CFT regimes.
The High Representative praised Pakistan for making outstanding strides toward finishing the two FATF Action Plans and gave the Foreign Minister the assurance that Pakistan will soon be taken off the EU’s blacklist.
Both parties concurred on the need to further advance ties between Pakistan and the EU and to continue participation in established institutional frameworks.
