Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar shakes hands with EU Vice-President Kaja Kallas in Brussels. Photo: APP
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and the European Union (EU) jointly called on Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to take decisive steps to curb terrorist activities on its soil and protect human rights, especially for women, girls and other vulnerable groups.
The statement followed the seventh EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue held in Brussels, which noted that Afghanistan’s internal instability and governance gaps continue to exacerbate cross-border terrorist threats.
The dialogue was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and EU High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas. The discussions reviewed progress under the 2019 Strategic Engagement Plan, according to a communique issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministers discussed Pakistan-Afghanistan relations amid cross-border tensions in October 2025 and reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace, stability, prosperity and resolution of issues through dialogue between neighbours.
“The two sides called on Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to play a constructive role in achieving the common goal of eradicating terrorism from Afghan soil,” the statement said. Both sides also expressed concern over Afghanistan’s deteriorating socio-economic conditions, it added.
They supported a peaceful, stable and independent Afghanistan that contributed to regional stability and advocated a credible political process in line with the UN-led Doha Framework and in line with the commitments made by the Taliban’s de facto authorities to the international community.
“They appreciated Pakistan for hosting millions of Afghan nationals for over four decades. The EU side stressed that any return must be safe, dignified and in accordance with international standards,” the communiqué said.
The Foreign Office said both sides welcomed the timely convening of dialogue mechanisms and reaffirmed the importance of sustained cooperation across trade, migration, human rights, political, economic and development areas, including under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.
“They agreed to further deepen knowledge partnerships through Erasmus Mundus and Horizon Europe and to work together on new challenges related to food and energy security and climate change,” it added, emphasizing continued cooperation to promote sustainable growth and trade development.
Pakistan and the EU expressed strong political commitment to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP+), which “remains one of the key elements” of bilateral relations. Kallas also briefed the meeting on the process that led to the adoption of a new GSP framework.
During the discussions, Dar and Kalla reaffirmed both sides’ commitment to multilateralism, the principles of the UN Charter, the rules-based international order, peace, stability and prosperity, based on shared values and common interests.
“The EU side briefed on Russia’s war in Ukraine, while Pakistan briefed on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir,” the statement said. They also welcomed the first phase of the “comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict” and called on all parties to respect the ceasefire and avoid actions that could jeopardize the agreement.
Both sides emphasized their support for concrete steps towards a two-state solution in accordance with relevant UN resolutions. They emphasized the importance of finding peaceful solutions to conflicts in full respect of international law and the UN Charter, and agreed to convene the eighth round of the Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad.
