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European Union

EU-Pakistan Relations Strengthened Through GSP+ Framework

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A high-level delegation of the European Parliament's Committee on Development, led by Lukas Mandl (Austria), visited the Ministry of Commerce in Islamabad to discuss Pakistan's continued commitment to strengthening EU-Pakistan relations, particularly under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) framework. The delegation, comprising Robert Biedron (Poland), Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar (Spain), Tomaš Zdechovsky (Czechia), and Marc Jongen (Germany), was accompanied by EU Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis and advisors Christian Meseth, Janetta Cujkova, and Teresa Paula de Figueiredo Mergulhao. The meeting underscored Pakistan's commitment to promoting sustainable trade, development cooperation, and human rights under the GSP+ framework.

Key Takeaways:

  • Minister Jam Kamal Khan briefed the delegation on Pakistan's recent achievements under the GSP+ monitoring framework, highlighting significant progress on human rights, labor reforms, climate action, and institutional strengthening.
  • Pakistan has been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term, reflecting global confidence in its constructive role in advancing dialogue and multilateral human rights cooperation.
  • Pakistan has harmonized the legal age of marriage and passed landmark laws such as the Islamabad Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025, establishing the Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals, the National Commission for Minorities, and the Policy on Interfaith Harmony.
  • Minister Jam Kamal Khan emphasized Pakistan's efforts to create a conducive environment for foreign investment, discussing measures to address challenges related to high taxation, energy costs, and interest rates.
  • Over 60% of Pakistan's 250 million population is below the age of 30, making skill training and vocational education a key national priority.
  • The Minister highlighted promising areas for EU investment, particularly in agriculture, food processing, seed development, value-added exports, manufacturing, SMEs, and e-commerce.
  • Minister Jam Kamal Khan raised two key trade concerns with the Parliament delegation: the withdrawal of duty concessions on Pakistan's ethanol exports under the GSP+ scheme and the issue of Geographical Indication (GI) registration of Basmati rice.
  • Pakistan has joined the Madrid Protocol on Trademarks and the Marrakech Treaty for the Visually Impaired, with further reforms in progress on patents and copyrights.
  • Members of the European Parliament appreciated Pakistan's constructive engagement, openness in discussion, and the government's focus on reforms and human capital development.

Statistics:

  • 250 million: Population of Pakistan.
  • 60%: Percentage of Pakistan's population below the age of 30.
  • 22% to 11%: Reduction in interest rate.
  • 2026-2028: Term of Pakistan's election to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Sources:

  • "Islamabad -- A high-level delegation of the European Parliament's Committee on Development, led by Lukas Mandl (Austria), and comprising Robert Biedron (Poland), Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar (Spain), Tomaš Zdechovsky (Czechia), and Marc Jongen (Germany), along with advisors Christian Meseth, Janetta Cujkova, and Teresa Paula de Figueiredo Mergulhao, visited the Ministry of Commerce, for a comprehensive discussion with Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan. EU Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis also accompanied the delegation."

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