Deputy PM Dar Meets EU Diplomat, Emphasises GSP+ Scheme

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar met with the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The meeting was held in New York, according to a statement from the Foreign Office.

During the discussion, Mr. Dar highlighted the importance Pakistan attributes to its partnership with the European Union, focusing on trade and economic relations. He emphasised the centrality of the EU’s GSP+ trade preference scheme to Pakistan’s economic ties with the bloc.

Dar expressed appreciation for the EU’s ongoing engagement with Pakistan in the context of recent regional developments, and the bloc’s recognition of Pakistan’s efforts to support de-escalation and dialogue. He reiterated his call for a return to diplomacy and full implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding by all parties involved.

Both officials agreed to maintain close engagement on issues of mutual interest, and exchanged views on current regional and global affairs. The meeting followed up on Kallas’s visit to Pakistan in August 2026, during which she described Pakistan as a significant regional partner for the EU.

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Dar met with Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, also on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Both sides reviewed bilateral relations, including cooperation on trade, education, and people-to-people exchanges. Dar welcomed France’s decision to restrict imports from Israeli settlements and stressed the continued importance of keeping the Palestine issue on the global agenda.

The two ministers discussed the regional situation with particular attention to Iran, underlining the need for diplomatic efforts and implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. They also highlighted the necessity of ensuring secure maritime traffic and stable energy supplies as vital for the global economy.

France’s foreign minister commended Pakistan’s contributions to regional peace and stability, and both countries agreed to remain in close contact on matters of shared concern.