EU welcomes Pakistan's mediation in US-Iran talks as PM Shehbaz, Kallas pledge stronger strategic partnership

-- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas hails Pakistan as major regional power and key strategic partner

-- Brussels appreciates Islamabad's efforts in US-Iran dialogue, backs continued diplomatic engagement

-- Pakistan, EU agree to deepen cooperation in trade, climate resilience, digital infrastructure and security

-- GSP+ remains vital for bilateral trade as both sides reaffirm commitment to stronger economic partnership

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-European Union relations, while the EU strongly praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in promoting peace and dialogue between the United States and Iran.

Kaja Kallas, who is also Vice President of the European Commission, met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House during her official visit to Pakistan. The visit coincided with the 8th Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue, reflecting the growing momentum in bilateral engagement between Islamabad and Brussels.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the prime minister warmly welcomed the EU’s top diplomat and reiterated Pakistan’s desire to expand its multifaceted partnership with the European Union across a broad range of sectors.

Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the successful holding of the 8th round of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with the EU in trade, investment, climate change, security, migration, sustainable development, digital connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.

The prime minister highlighted the significance of the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) arrangement, describing it as a cornerstone of Pakistan-EU economic relations that has substantially contributed to strengthening bilateral trade and boosting Pakistan’s exports to European markets.

Kallas, in turn, acknowledged Pakistan’s growing importance as a regional partner and conveyed the European Union’s strong interest in expanding strategic engagement with Islamabad.

The meeting also featured extensive discussions on regional and international developments, with particular focus on the evolving situation in the Gulf and the ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between the United States and Iran.

Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked the EU leadership for supporting Pakistan’s peace initiatives in the region and underscored Islamabad’s commitment to promoting dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred path toward lasting peace.

He noted that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir had been actively engaged in efforts aimed at facilitating dialogue and helping prevent further escalation in the Gulf region.

The prime minister emphasized that the international community, including the European Union, must work collectively to ensure sustainable peace and stability in the Middle East, warning that prolonged instability would have serious implications for regional and global security as well as international energy markets.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz also shared Pakistan’s perspective on developments in South Asia and Afghanistan and reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to regional peace, economic cooperation and constructive diplomacy.

He conveyed his best wishes to European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, while renewing his invitation for both leaders to visit Pakistan.

Earlier, while addressing a joint press conference following the Strategic Dialogue, Kallas described Pakistan as “a major regional power and an important partner for the European Union.”

She noted that the dialogue had reaffirmed the shared commitment of both sides to further strengthen and deepen bilateral relations.

Highlighting economic cooperation, Kallas pointed out that the European Union remains Pakistan’s largest export destination, surpassing the combined markets of the United States and China.

She also noted that Pakistan continues to be the largest beneficiary of the EU’s GSP+ trade arrangement, which has played a significant role in supporting Pakistan’s export-oriented industries, particularly the textile sector.

However, she emphasized that continued preferential market access under the GSP+ framework remained linked to progress in implementing international conventions related to governance, environmental protection, labour rights and human rights.

Beyond trade, Kallas said both sides were broadening cooperation in climate resilience, clean energy, digital infrastructure, migration, mobility and education.

She particularly praised Pakistan’s performance in educational exchanges, noting that Pakistani students had once again secured the highest number of Erasmus Mundus scholarships globally for the fifth consecutive year.

A major focus of Kallas’s remarks was Pakistan’s diplomatic role in reducing tensions between Washington and Tehran.

She described Pakistan as a key mediator between the United States and Iran and acknowledged that Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts had contributed significantly to preventing a wider regional conflict.

“Pakistan’s efforts have helped prevent a return to full-scale war on several occasions,” she remarked, adding that these contributions were highly valued and appreciated across Europe.

Kallas said there was currently a fragile diplomatic opening that could help extend the ceasefire and facilitate the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies.

She stressed, however, that any temporary arrangement between the United States and Iran must eventually evolve into broader negotiations addressing Iran’s nuclear programme and other outstanding regional security concerns.

The EU, she added, stands ready to contribute to a comprehensive and sustainable settlement through its diplomatic influence, economic leverage, longstanding relationships with Gulf states and engagement with Iran.

Discussing the wider implications of the Gulf crisis during an interview with a private television channel, Kallas observed that the conflict affects not only regional states but also the global economy.

She warned that disruptions in energy supplies and fertilizer markets could have far-reaching consequences, including rising costs and food insecurity in different parts of the world.

“I really commend Pakistan for being the mediator in trying to bring the parties together,” she said, expressing hope that ongoing diplomatic efforts would eventually produce a lasting agreement.

On regional security, Kallas also addressed developments involving Afghanistan, emphasizing the need for restraint and de-escalation while recognizing Pakistan’s legitimate right to protect its people and safeguard national security in accordance with international law.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, speaking alongside Kallas, described her visit as a significant milestone in Pakistan-EU relations and evidence of growing trust and engagement between the two sides.

Dar noted that Pakistan and the EU had remained in close contact on major international developments, including the Pakistan-India conflict last year and the ongoing US-Iran tensions.

He said both sides reviewed progress under the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan 2019, covering areas such as trade, investment, development cooperation, migration, security, counterterrorism, human rights and the rule of law.

The foreign minister highlighted the approximately €12 billion annual trade volume between Pakistan and the European Union and described the GSP+ framework as a mutually beneficial arrangement that had significantly strengthened bilateral economic ties.

He also welcomed the success of the first Pakistan-EU Business Forum held earlier this year and expressed hope that it would become a regular feature of bilateral relations.

Dar thanked the European Union for recognizing Pakistan’s peace efforts regarding the US-Iran conflict and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to facilitating a comprehensive and durable diplomatic solution.

The foreign minister further briefed the EU delegation on Pakistan’s concerns regarding regional security, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the Indus Waters Treaty, and cross-border terrorism originating from Afghan territory.

He stressed the importance of strengthening multilateralism, respecting international law and upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter as essential components of a stable and peaceful international order.

Concluding the discussions, both Pakistan and the European Union reaffirmed their resolve to transform their relationship into a broader, more comprehensive and forward-looking partnership focused on economic cooperation, regional stability and shared prosperity.

The visit by Kaja Kallas, the first by an EU foreign policy chief in several years, is widely viewed as a reflection of the growing strategic importance of Pakistan-EU relations and a mutual desire to deepen engagement across political, economic and security domains.