The EU and Pakistan held, on 6 March, their 9th high-level political dialogue in Islamabad, discussing regional and global issues against a backdrop of international crises, according to the European External Action Service (EEAS).
In particular, the dialogue provided an opportunity to assess relations between the two parties in the context of the recent general elections on 8 February (see EUROPE 13347/13), following which the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan - which won the most votes - was the target of repressive measures.
On Monday 4 March, the Pakistani electoral commission also refused Imran Khan’s supporters a share of the seats reserved in parliament for women and non-Muslims under the proportional representation system (70 of the 336 seats are reserved for them), reported AFP.
“The EU has encouraged Pakistan to address the recommendations put forward by the EU Election Expert Mission that has been deployed upon invitation of the Pakistani government”, the EEAS said.
The two parties also emphasised the values of democracy, human rights and the Rule of law. They pledged to rapidly implement the EU-Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan, focusing on counter-terrorism, security, climate change and migration.
The EU indicated that it would continue its engagement on trade through GSP+ and encouraged Pakistan to continue implementing the international conventions attached to the trade preferential scheme.
Discussions also focused on Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, the international response to the challenges in Afghanistan and the importance of preserving multilateralism and the rules-based international order.
The next high-level political dialogue will take place in Brussels. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)