Pakistan, European Commission agree to bolster relations

By
Ayaz Akbar Yousafzai

April 22, 2022

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressing the National Assembly session in the Parliament House in Islamabad, on April 16, 2022 (left) and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen briefs the media after the Conference of Presidents of European Parliaments party blocs in Brussels, Belgium, July 10, 2019. — INP/Reuters/File
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressing the National Assembly session in the Parliament House in Islamabad, on April 16, 2022 (left) and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen briefs the media after the Conference of Presidents of European Parliament's party blocs in Brussels, Belgium, July 10, 2019. — INP/Reuters/File

  • EU Commission's president telephones PM Shehbaz Sharif.
  • Ursula von der Leyen felicitates Shehbaz on assuming PM office.
  • The two leaders agreed to stay in contact and work together.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and European Commission Friday agreed to bolster ties, intensify investment and trade cooperation, and enhance mutual cooperation in diverse fields.

The development came during President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen called Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to a statement from the PM Office.

The European Commission's president congratulated Shehbaz on assuming the office of the prime minister and underlined the body's desire to further strengthen its bilateral relationship with Pakistan.

Read more: Shehbaz Sharif elected as Pakistan's 23rd prime minister following Imran Khan's ouster

Shehbaz was elected as the 23rd premier of Pakistan on April 11 after the ouster of PTI chairman Imran Khan from the office of the prime minister through a no-confidence vote.

The prime minister expressed his thanks for the felicitations and stated that Pakistan greatly valued its relations with the European Union, which were based on shared values and common objectives of peace, prosperity and development.

PM Shehbaz highlighted the importance of closer trade and investment ties between Pakistan and the EU.

Read more: Gear up and wait for my call to Islamabad, Imran Khan says at Lahore jalsa

He appreciated the GSP Plus arrangement and underlined that being a mutually beneficial scheme, it had played an important role in the expansion of Pakistan-EU trade.

The premier lauded Leyen’s stewardship of the EU Commission and underscored his resolve to further deepen mutual engagement, while also extending a cordial invitation to the body's president.

The two leaders agreed to stay in contact and work together to expand Pakistan-EU relations, intensify investment and trade cooperation, and enhance mutual cooperation between the two sides in diverse fields.