The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and Pakistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, signed the new EU-Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan on Tuesday 25 June in Brussels.
This agreement was concluded last March, during a visit of Mrs Mogherini to Islamabad (see EUROPE 12221/17).
"It is a new, forward-looking and ambitious political framework that will further deepen our relations, increase the level of bilateral relations and address global challenges", the High Representative explained to the press. According to her, the plan will make it possible to increase bilateral trade, further protect human rights, but also to cooperate in new areas, such as energy, climate change, education, culture and science and technology.
For his part, Mr Qureshi recalled that the EU was a "traditional ally" and trading partner of his country and that the plan would be a bridge to strengthen cooperation. He added that the plan should make it possible to learn from each other's good practices, particularly in terms of cybersecurity or the fight against money laundering.
Returning to the 2010 EU-Pakistan readmission agreement, the Minister called for both sides to work on a broader, mutually beneficial and comprehensive dialogue on migration and mobility.
Mr Qureshi also highlighted the strengthening and development of economic and investment links through new methods of cooperation, including public-private partnerships and business to business people dialogue. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)