Shehbaz stresses GSP Plus importance as Pakistan seeks stronger EU ties

• Shehbaz reaffirms commitment to strengthening partnership with EU.
• Pledges full implementation of Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan.
• Highlights GSP Plus as vital for Pak economy, jobs and trade with EU.

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stressed the importance of the European Union's GSP Plus trade framework for Pakistan's economic development, employment generation and exports, as Islamabad seeks to further strengthen its broad-based partnership with the bloc.

Speaking during a meeting with European Council President António Luís Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to deepening engagement with the EU and fully implementing the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan.

The leaders reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan-EU relations and expressed satisfaction over the growing momentum in high-level exchanges and engagement between the two sides.

Shehbaz stressed the importance of sustained leadership-level engagement, saying regular high-level contacts could provide greater direction and momentum to bilateral relations.

He also highlighted the importance of the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus, or GSP Plus, for Pakistan's economic development, employment generation and trade with the bloc.

The prime minister reiterated Pakistan's commitment to continued engagement with the EU under the GSP Plus framework.

The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments and reaffirmed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU valued its partnership with Pakistan and noted that the Strategic Engagement Plan reflected the breadth of the relationship and a shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, human rights and civic space.

She said the EU and Pakistan also worked together on stability and security.

Von der Leyen thanked Shehbaz for Pakistan's initiative to mediate in the conflict between the United States and Iran, saying Pakistan was playing an important role in supporting de-escalation, dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.

The two sides also discussed ways to take the partnership forward, including cooperation on trade and efforts to address illegal migration.

Shehbaz reiterated his invitation to the presidents of the European Council and European Commission to visit Pakistan.

He also expressed Pakistan's desire to work closely with EU leadership to further deepen a mutually beneficial partnership.