ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) and Pakistan have expressed a strong political commitment towards the GSP+ and the implementation of 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, protection of the environment and good governance that are linked to it.
A statement released by the EU as well as Foreign Office after the 6th round of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, co-chaired by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and High Representative and Vice President of European Commission Josep Borrell, stated this.
The European Union (EU) welcomed the progress made by Pakistan to implement the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plans and also lauded adoption of the “Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill” by the parliament, that later became an act with the presidential approval. The EU also welcomed the “ongoing efforts to address the remaining FATF actions.
The two sides reviewed the ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and the EU based on the strategic engagement plan, the joint communique shared by the Foreign Office said. They agreed to further enhance EU-Pakistan mutual engagement, especially on security and regional cooperation. Both sides agreed to hold the first meeting of the new EU-Pakistan Security Dialogue with sub-groups on non-proliferation and disarmament, and counter-terrorism in 2022.
The HR/VP and the foreign minister reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen and protect human rights, as well as fundamental freedoms, focusing on the freedom of religion and belief, interfaith harmony, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, and rights of minorities.
Qureshi also raised concerns over the rising trends of Islamophobic acts, xenophobia and religious intolerance in the world and the need for common resolve to counter them. – TLTP
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