Pakistan and EU deepen trade and security cooperation in Islamabad talks

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas met in Islamabad on June 1, 2026 for the eighth Pakistan‑EU Strategic Dialogue. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, security and regional stability.

Key outcomes included a focus on the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) that provides duty‑free access for Pakistani goods to the EU market, a trade relationship valued at about €12 billion, and the requirement that Pakistan meet 27 international conventions on human rights, labor and the environment. The dialogue also covered joint actions on climate resilience, digital infrastructure, clean‑energy projects and sustainable development. Both sides highlighted Pakistan’s role in mediating peace efforts in the Gulf region, particularly between the United States and Iran, and expressed the EU’s readiness to support these initiatives.

The discussion underscored a broader strategic partnership aimed at strengthening economic ties and enhancing regional security through coordinated diplomatic and policy measures.