The European Union has described Pakistan as a “major regional power” and signaled its desire to build a deeper and more forward-looking partnership with Islamabad, highlighting growing cooperation in trade, diplomacy, climate resilience, security, and regional stability.
Speaking after the 8th Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad, Kaja Kallas said Pakistan remains an important partner for the European Union at a time of significant global and regional change.
EU Recognises Pakistan’s Growing Regional Importance
Kallas emphasized that Pakistan’s geopolitical significance continues to increase amid evolving developments across South Asia, the Middle East, and the broader international landscape.
“Pakistan is a major regional power and an important partner for the European Union,” she said.
The EU foreign policy chief noted that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation and strengthening long-term engagement through institutional dialogue and strategic coordination.
Trade Relationship Continues to Grow
A major focus of the discussions was economic cooperation.
Kallas highlighted that the European Union remains Pakistan’s largest export destination, surpassing both China and the United States combined.
According to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar:
- EU-Pakistan trade stands at approximately €12 billion
- Pakistan remains the largest beneficiary of the EU’s GSP+ scheme
- Both sides want to expand trade and investment opportunities
Importance of GSP+
Kallas stressed that Pakistan’s continued access to the EU’s preferential trade arrangement depends on progress regarding:
- Governance standards
- Human rights commitments
- Environmental protection
- Labour rights implementation
She described GSP+ as a successful framework that has significantly strengthened bilateral economic relations.
EU Praises Pakistan’s Iran-US Mediation Efforts
One of the most significant aspects of the dialogue involved Pakistan’s diplomatic role in reducing tensions between Iran and the United States.
Kallas praised Islamabad’s mediation efforts, stating:
“Pakistan has been the main mediator between the United States and Iran.”
She added that Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement had helped prevent a return to wider conflict on several occasions and that these efforts were widely appreciated across Europe.
Focus on Gulf Stability
The EU official also stressed the importance of:
- Preserving the ceasefire
- Reopening the Strait of Hormuz
- Continuing diplomatic negotiations
- Seeking long-term regional stability
The European Union expressed readiness to support broader diplomatic initiatives concerning Iran and regional security.
Cooperation Beyond Trade
The strategic dialogue highlighted growing cooperation in several emerging sectors, including:
- Climate resilience
- Digital infrastructure
- Clean energy
- Migration and mobility
- Education
- People-to-people exchanges
Pakistan Excels in EU Education Programmes
Kallas noted that Pakistan continues to rank first globally in the prestigious Erasmus Mundus scholarship programme for the fifth consecutive year.
The achievement reflects increasing educational and academic ties between Pakistan and European institutions.
Security and Regional Challenges Discussed
Both sides exchanged views on:
- Middle East developments
- Afghanistan
- South Asia
- Counterterrorism
- Global governance
Kallas acknowledged Pakistan’s security concerns regarding Afghanistan and stated that every country has the right to defend itself in accordance with international law.
Meanwhile, Dar highlighted:
- Terrorism originating from Afghan territory
- Regional security challenges
- The importance of multilateral cooperation
Pakistan Calls for More Structured Engagement
Dar described the EU visit as a significant milestone in bilateral relations and called for:
- More frequent strategic dialogues
- Higher-level political exchanges
- Greater economic engagement
- Expanded investment cooperation
He also expressed hope that Ursula von der Leyen would visit Pakistan in the future.
A New Phase in Pakistan-EU Relations
Kaja Kallas’s description of Pakistan as a “major regional power” represents one of the strongest public endorsements by a senior EU official in recent years.
The remarks reflect several evolving realities:
- Pakistan’s increasing diplomatic role in Middle East negotiations
- Its strategic importance for regional stability
- Growing economic ties with Europe
- Expanding cooperation on climate, migration, and digital development
At a time of geopolitical uncertainty, both Islamabad and Brussels appear interested in moving beyond a purely trade-focused relationship toward a broader strategic partnership.
Analysts believe the next phase of Pakistan-EU relations could focus on:
- Investment and technology transfer
- Green energy cooperation
- Security dialogue
- Educational exchanges
- Regional peace initiatives
If momentum continues, the relationship could emerge as one of Pakistan’s most important international partnerships in the coming years.
