ISLAMABAD : Monitoring Desk – Europe Day was celebrated in Islamabad together with Team Europe partners, government representatives, diplomatic community, civil society, media and friends of the European Union.
The event opened with live performances of the anthems of the European Union and Pakistan by Pakistani musicians using traditional instruments including the sitar, tabla and flute, reflecting the cultural ties and friendship between Europe and Pakistan.
EU Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis and the Chief Guest, Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, delivered remarks highlighting the strong and growing partnership between the European Union and Pakistan.
Additional Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, for EU, Ms Ayesha Ali also graced the event with her presence. Ambassadors of Austria, Romania , Sweden, Germany, Spain, Portugal, France and other EU member countries were also present.
A Europe Day cake featuring the EU flag was ceremonially cut, followed by interactive activities including a photo corner, EU-themed games, and a space where participants could share “one word about Europe”.
Guests viewed videos on digital screens showcasing the EU-Pakistan partnership in trade, climate action, skills development, and renewable energy under the broader Global Gateway initiative, as well as people-to-people exchanges.
The evening concluded with European music and DJ performances, creating a festive atmosphere celebrating unity, diversity, and partnership.
Joint Agreements for sustainable Economic Cooperation
On April 29, The first High-Level EU–Pakistan Business Forum concluded today in Islamabad, marking a major step forward in strengthening economic ties between the European Union, the world’s largest single market and Pakistan.
The key outcome of the Forum was the launch of the EU–Pakistan Business Network, bringing together more than 300 European companies operating in Pakistan under one platform. The Network will serve as a unified voice for EU businesses, facilitate policy dialogue, and support new companies exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan.
The Forum also saw the announcement and launch of several flagship initiatives under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, the EU’s largest investment program outside of the EU which aims to leverage 400 billion EUR of de-risked investments between 2021-2027. These included:
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The Team Europe “Better Governance and Business Environment” program (EUR 24.1 million), was jointly launched by the Minister of Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Peteris Ustubs – director Asia Pacific in the European Commission. The project aims to strengthen the competitiveness of Pakistan’s export oriented small and medium-sized enterprises through regulatory reforms, sustainability support, and improved access to finance.
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The inauguration of a Technical and Vocational Education and Training Centre of Excellence in Peshawar, designed to equip Pakistan’s workforce with future-ready skills linked to IT and artificial intelligence and strengthen industry linkages.
A major highlight was the signing of EUR 160 Million loan agreements between the European Investment Bank and the Government of Pakistan.
The Forum facilitated over 600 business-to-business (B2B) meetings, reflecting strong interest from both European and Pakistani companies in forging partnerships, joint ventures, and investment opportunities across key sectors. These included agribusiness, digital innovation and fintech, green logistics, renewable energy, textiles, and responsible mining.
Over two days, the Forum brought together senior policymakers, business leaders, investors, and financial institutions to unlock new opportunities for trade, investment, and sustainable development.
