FM Bilawal expresses satisfaction over multifaceted relations between Pakistan & European Union

ABU DHABI, Nov 05, (SABAH): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar, met the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs, European External Action Service, Enrique Mora in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday.

The Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction over multifaceted relations between Pakistan and the European Union, which have strengthened over time. He noted that recent interactions between the two sides including holding of Joint Commission in Islamabad last month and the visit of the members of the European Parliament this week, have maintained positive momentum in bilateral ties.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also appreciated the humanitarian assistance of 133 million Euros by the EU and its member states to Pakistan after the devastation caused by the recent climate-induced floods. He apprised the EU High Representative of the enormous task Pakistan is faced with on account of rehabilitation and reconstruction work. He called on the international community to rise to the occasion and ensure climate justice for Pakistan. The High Representative assured full support to the Foreign Minister in meeting the daunting challenge.

The Foreign Minister and the EU High Representative also discussed the GSP Plus – a scheme mutually beneficial for both Pakistan and the European Union. The Foreign Minister hoped that Pakistan and the EU would continue to benefit from it and it’s successor dispensation in the future as well. The High Representative lauded Pakistan’s progress in implementing the international conventions that are part of the GSP plus scheme.

The Foreign Minister urged the High Representative that the EU should delist Pakistan at the soonest possible from its list of countries having strategic deficiencies in their AML/CFT regimes, after Pakistan exited the FATF grey list last month. The High Representative appreciated Pakistan’s remarkable progress in completing the two FATF Action Plans and assured the Foreign Minister that the EU would delist Pakistan soon.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen Pakistan-EU relations and to remain engaged, inter alia, with established institutional mechanisms.

Meanwhile Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar, held a meeting on Saturday with Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on the side-lines of 13th Annual Session of Sir Bani Yas Forum in Abu Dhabi (UAE).

During the meeting, both Foreign Ministers agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations in multifaceted areas including political, economic and climate domains. They also expressed satisfaction over the commonality of views between the two countries on issues of regional and global significance. Importance of regular bilateral engagements was also reiterated to achieve shared objectives.

The Ministers also exchanged views on important developments in the Middle East, South Asia and the Gulf region. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, as means to finding peaceful resolution of conflicts and disputes.

Pakistan and Jordan enjoy close and cordial relations, rooted deep in shared faith and values. The two countries have close collaboration at the bilateral level, as well as in multilateral fora, in particular the United Nations and the OIC.