EU hails Pakistan as 'key regional power', vows stronger strategic partnership

-- EU recognises Pakistan's role in regional diplomacy

-- Trade partnership continues to expand

-- Cooperation expanding beyond trade

-- Dar calls visit a milestone in bilateral relations

ISLAMABAD: The European Union on Monday described Pakistan as a major regional power and an increasingly important strategic partner, as senior leaders from both sides pledged to deepen cooperation across trade, diplomacy, security, climate resilience and regional peace efforts during the 8th Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue held in Islamabad.

The high-level dialogue was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas, who is also Vice-President of the European Commission.

Addressing a joint press conference after the talks, Kallas described Pakistan as a pivotal player in regional affairs and emphasized that Brussels viewed Islamabad as an indispensable partner in addressing global and regional challenges.

“Pakistan is a major regional power and an important partner for the European Union,” she said. “Today, through our strategic dialogue, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to taking EU-Pakistan relations to a higher level.”

Kallas noted that her visit came at a particularly significant moment, as the international landscape had undergone profound changes since the previous strategic dialogue held in November 2025.

She praised Pakistan’s growing diplomatic role, particularly its efforts to facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran during one of the most sensitive crises in the Middle East in recent years.

Acknowledging Islamabad’s mediation efforts, she remarked that Pakistan had emerged as a principal diplomatic bridge between Washington and Tehran.

“Your diplomatic efforts have helped prevent a return to full-scale war on several occasions, and these efforts are widely recognised and appreciated across Europe,” Kallas told Dar.

She observed that Pakistan’s engagement had contributed to creating a fragile but important diplomatic opening aimed at extending the ceasefire and restoring stability in the Gulf region, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The EU foreign policy chief stressed, however, that any temporary understanding between the United States and Iran would need to evolve into a broader and more comprehensive framework addressing Iran’s nuclear programme and wider regional security concerns.

“Lasting stability requires deeper and more comprehensive solutions,” she said, adding that the European Union stood ready to contribute through diplomatic engagement, economic incentives, maritime cooperation and its longstanding relationships across the Gulf region.

Kallas highlighted the economic dimension of Pakistan-EU relations, noting that the European Union remained Pakistan’s largest export destination.

“The EU market is larger for Pakistan than the United States and China combined,” she pointed out, describing the trade relationship as one of the strongest pillars of bilateral engagement.

She further noted that Pakistan remained the world's largest beneficiary of the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), which provides preferential access to European markets.

At the same time, she emphasized that continued access under the GSP+ framework depended upon sustained progress in implementing international commitments relating to governance, environmental protection, labour rights and human rights.

“GSP+ comes with responsibilities,” she said. “We look to Pakistan to demonstrate tangible progress in these important areas.”

The EU high representative said cooperation between Pakistan and the European Union was expanding into several emerging sectors, including climate adaptation, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, migration management and educational exchanges.

She particularly praised the achievements of Pakistani students under the EU’s Erasmus Mundus scholarship programme.

“I am impressed that Pakistan once again ranks first globally in Erasmus Mundus scholarships for the fifth consecutive year,” she said.

Kallas described educational exchanges and people-to-people contacts as vital elements in strengthening long-term relations between Pakistan and Europe.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar welcomed Kallas’s visit, describing it as a major milestone in Pakistan-EU relations and evidence of growing diplomatic engagement between Islamabad and Brussels.

He noted that only six months had passed since the previous strategic dialogue, representing one of the shortest intervals between such high-level engagements in the history of bilateral relations.

“The visit signifies the growing momentum in the Pakistan-EU partnership,” Dar said.

He recalled that there had been virtually no visit by an EU foreign policy chief to Pakistan for nearly seven years and described Kallas’s visit as a positive signal of renewed engagement.

Dar also highlighted his frequent diplomatic interactions with Kallas over the past year, particularly during the India-Pakistan crisis and the ongoing tensions involving the United States and Iran.

Shared Commitment to Multilateralism

During the dialogue, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening multilateral institutions and upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter.

Dar stressed the importance of international cooperation in addressing emerging global challenges and emphasized the need for consistent adherence to international law.

“We believe the European Union embodies the universal ideals of peace, diplomacy, democracy and commitment to human rights,” he said.

Both sides agreed that a rules-based international order remained essential for ensuring global stability and sustainable development.

Discussion on Regional Security and Kashmir

Dar briefed the visiting EU delegation on recent developments in South Asia, including Pakistan’s position regarding Jammu and Kashmir.

He reiterated Islamabad’s longstanding stance that the dispute should be resolved in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The deputy prime minister also discussed Pakistan’s position on the Indus Waters Treaty, referring to the recent supplemental award issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration concerning the Ratle and Kishanganga hydroelectric projects.

According to Dar, the ruling reinforced Pakistan’s argument that the treaty imposes substantive limits on India's ability to control water flows in the western rivers allocated to Pakistan.

Afghanistan and Counterterrorism Concerns

Security issues also featured prominently in the discussions.

Dar raised concerns regarding terrorist threats emanating from Afghan territory and emphasized that cross-border terrorism remained one of Pakistan’s most pressing national security concerns.

Kallas acknowledged Pakistan’s security challenges and stated that every country had the right to defend its citizens in accordance with international law.

She also stressed the importance of restraint, dialogue and regional stability to prevent further humanitarian suffering and instability.

Toward a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Both sides reviewed progress under the Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP) 2019 and explored ways to transform the relationship into a broader and more comprehensive strategic partnership.

Dar said cooperation in trade, investment, migration, development, human rights, security and counterterrorism had made significant progress and expressed optimism that the relationship would continue to grow.

He also praised the success of the first-ever Pakistan-EU Business Forum held earlier this year and expressed hope that it would become a permanent feature of bilateral engagement.

Concluding the dialogue, both leaders reaffirmed their determination to strengthen institutional linkages, expand economic cooperation and work together on regional and global challenges.

The talks underscored the growing convergence between Pakistan and the European Union on issues ranging from trade and development to diplomacy and regional peace, marking a new chapter in an increasingly dynamic and multifaceted partnership.