Islamabad, 15 July 2022 (TDI): The Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Sohail Mahmood, welcomed the new European Union (EU) Ambassador to Pakistan on Thursday, July 14.
The current EU Ambassador, Riina Kionka, previously served as EU Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa.
The Foreign Secretary of Pakistan stated that Pakistan deeply values its relations with the European Union.
The country wishes to further enhance the partnership, especially in trade, investment, and people-to-people links.
FS Sohail Mahmood welcomed EU’s new Amb @RKionka today. Felicitating her, FS said Pakistan deeply values its rels with EU and wishes to further enhance this partnership, esp in trade, investment and P2P links.FS also stressed befitting commemoration of 60th anniv. of 🇵🇰🇪🇺dip ties pic.twitter.com/lGJeIViAsf
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) July 14, 2022
He also stressed the befitting commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Pakistan-EU diplomatic ties.
Riina Kionka, in her message on Twitter, shared her vision, aspirations, and ambitions for Pakistan.
Prior to that, Androulla Kaminara served as the EU Ambassador to Pakistan. She concluded her tenure in Pakistan on April 30, 2022.
Pakistan and the European Union share diplomatic relations. Pakistan has a diplomatic mission in the EU with its office in Brussels. The office of the EU delegation to Pakistan is in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan.
Pakistan-EU relations
The Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan represents the EU on a wide range of issues.
These include development cooperation, trade, humanitarian assistance, security, and counter-terrorism. Energy, the environment, health, transport, migration, and climate change are also included in this.
Moreover, the European Union is one of the significant economic partners in Pakistan. The EU supports Pakistan’s integration into the global economy.
The EU market is by far the biggest export destination for Pakistani products, and about 1/3rd of its exports reach the EU market.
Significantly, the Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP), signed between the two sides in 2019, redefined EU-Pakistan relations. The plan introduced broader dimensions identified for a mutual relationship.
Under SEP, relations cover political and security cooperation, besides trade and development assistance.
The EU supports Pakistan in its efforts to tackle poverty, increase literacy, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat major diseases, and ensure environmental sustainability.
The new Multi-Annual Indicative Programme details the EU cooperation priorities with Pakistan for the years 2020-2027.
The assistance provided through the EU Delegation focuses on delivering long-term support for education, governance, and rural development.
