ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the European Union have agreed to continue cooperation in the spheres of counter terrorism, security and defence, disarmament and non-proliferation.
The seventh meeting of Pakistan-EU Joint Commission was held here on Wednesday.
The Pakistan side was jointly led by Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry and Secretary Economic Affairs Division Tariq Bajwa. The EU delegation was led by Gunnar Wiegand, Managing Director of the European External Action Service. The two sides appreciated the continued strengthening of the Pakistan-EU relations. They expressed satisfaction at the progress made in the implementation of the Pakistan-EU 5-year Engagement Plan, including the holding of the Third Pakistan-EU Political Dialogue and the Strategic Dialogue in Brussels earlier this year.
In this respect, the two sides welcomed the decision to further elevate their mutually beneficial partnership under the new Strategic Engagement Plan. Every effort will be made to finalise the new plan by the middle of 2017, for approval by the next Pakistan-EU Summit.
The EU side reiterated its strong support for democratic institutions and electoral reforms in time for the next elections, rule of law, human rights, economic development and poverty reduction in Pakistan, in accordance with national plans and priorities. They welcomed the holding of the second Dialogue on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, as well as the fifth round of the Counter-Terrorism Dialogue in April 2016 in Brussels. The meeting discussed the economic reform programme of the Government of Pakistan and the EU welcomed the progress made in this respect. Both sides recognised the importance of mutual cooperation in the field of energy. They welcomed the agreement to hold a first EU-Pakistan energy meeting in January 2017 in Brussels, to strengthen cooperation and exchange of information.
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