Islamabad;Ms. Frederica Morgherini, European Union’s (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy called on Prime Minister Imran khan on 25 March 2019.
Welcoming the EU High Representative, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan values its relations with the European Union (EU) and all its member states. He expressed satisfaction on the positive momentum in the relations and termed EU Pakistan’s major trade and investment partner. Prime Minister Khan welcomed the increase in Pakistan-EU bilateral trade since the inception of GSP plus scheme.
The Prime Minister apprised the EU High Representative on the current regional situation, including Pakistan’s positive role in Afghan reconciliation peace process and deescalating tensions with India.
He urged the EU to highlight the ongoing human rights violations in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). Prime Minister Khan also gave an overview of his reform agenda covering good governance, eradication of corruption, rule of law and poverty alleviation.
The EU High Representative praised the Prime Minister for his handling of the situation after the Pulwama incident. She assured of EU’s support towards the Prime Minister’s reform agenda which coincides with the EU’s core principles and values.
President Dr. Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan’s business environment has improved in the wake of government’s attempts to facilitate foreign investments. He invited the EU community to come and invest in Pakistan. Furthermore, he assured the investors full government support.
The President said this while talking to European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Federica Mogherini, who called on him in Islamabad on Monday. The President welcomed the recent ruling of the European Court of Human Rights, which can help create a balance between the exercise of right to freedom of expression and incitement/hatred towards religious views and faith.
He said that Pakistan believes in responsible use of right of freedom of expression, as freedom comes with responsibility. The President emphasized that Pakistan strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations whether perpetrated by individuals, groups or States. He highlighted that Pakistan has achieved remarkable successes in the fight against terrorism. He underscored that kinetic action alone cannot address the threat posed by terrorism. He added that a comprehensive response is required to tackle this global menace. The President emphasized that Pakistan values its relations with the European Union (EU). He noted that the EU is a traditional ally and Pakistan’s major trading partner.
He expressed his satisfaction that Pakistan-EU relations are moving in a positive direction in all spheres of cooperation. He noted with pleasure that Pakistan’s exports to the EU have increased by 38 percent, while EU’s exports to Pakistan have grown by 33 percent since inception of the GSP Plus Scheme in 2014. He further said that Pakistan sees GSP Plus Scheme as constructive engagement for the betterment of its economy and values EU’s development assistance to Pakistan.
The President underlined that Pakistan has declared adherence to the NSG Guidelines and also submitted its formal application for participation in the NSG. He stated that inclusion of Pakistan will bring tangible benefits for the non-proliferation regime. He urged NSG to consider membership for non-NPT states on the basis of non-discriminatory and objective criteria that are simultaneously applicable to all of them. European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Federica Mogherini said that there is a huge potential of economic and trade relations between Pakistan and EU which needs to be fully explored and utilized.
