The eighth Strategic Dialogue between the European Union and Pakistan was held in Islamabad on Monday 1 June, in the presence of Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister.
While the discussions covered trade, investment and mobility partnerships, particular emphasis was placed on regional crises. In the face of persistent tensions with India, Mr Dar thus reaffirmed Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir, advocating an outcome “according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people, and in line with UN Security Council resolutions”. He also referred to hydroelectric disputes linked to the Indus Treaty.
Faced with the “open warfare” declared between Pakistan and Afghanistan (see EUROPE 13819/23), Ms Kallas deplored the deadly air strikes and their humanitarian impact, calling for “dialogue” to be prioritised.
As regards the Middle East, she praised Pakistani mediation in the US-Iran conflict. “Your diplomatic efforts have helped to prevent a return to full-blown war on several occasions”, she stressed, while recalling that lasting peace will require deeper discussions on Tehran’s nuclear stockpile. (Original version in French by Justine Manaud)