Pakistan and the European Parliament reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) framework during a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Monday. A delegation of the European Parliament’s Committee on Development, led by Lukas Mandl of Austria, visited the Ministry of Commerce for discussions with Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan. The delegation included parliamentarians from Poland, Spain, Czechia, and Germany, along with advisors, while the EU Ambassador to Pakistan, Raimundas Karoblis, also accompanied the group.
The meeting highlighted Pakistan’s continued commitment to deepening ties with the European Union, particularly through a focus on sustainable trade, development cooperation, and the promotion of human rights. Welcoming the delegation, Minister Jam Kamal Khan expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership and reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to promote inclusive economic growth, good governance, and institutional development.
The Minister outlined Pakistan’s progress under the GSP+ monitoring framework, referencing advancements in human rights, labor reforms, climate action, and institutional strengthening. He noted Pakistan’s election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026–2028 term as a sign of global confidence in the country’s constructive role in multilateral human rights dialogue. He added that the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) had received “A status” accreditation from the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), marking a significant institutional milestone.
The Minister also pointed to recent legislative developments, including the Islamabad Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025, the establishment of the Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals, and the upcoming National Commission for Minorities and Policy on Interfaith Harmony, reflecting a commitment to social cohesion, freedom, and tolerance.
On economic matters, Jam Kamal Khan discussed reforms aimed at improving the investment climate, including gradual reductions in taxation, energy costs, and interest rates, noting the decrease of the interest rate from 22% to 11%. He emphasized that Pakistan’s economic future lies in industrial expansion and human resource development, stressing that with over 60% of the population under the age of 30, skill development and vocational training are central policy priorities.
He highlighted sectors such as agriculture, food processing, seed development, manufacturing, SMEs, and e-commerce as promising areas for enhanced EU investment and sought technical cooperation in technology transfer and sustainable value-chain development.
The Commerce Minister raised two key trade concerns. First, he urged the EU to reconsider the withdrawal of duty concessions on Pakistan’s ethanol exports, noting the adverse impact on rural livelihoods. Second, he called for a fair and impartial decision in the ongoing Geographical Indication (GI) registration of Basmati rice, emphasizing Pakistan’s historical and cultural claim to the globally recognized rice variety.
He also sought enhanced collaboration on emerging EU regulatory frameworks, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), particularly through technical support and capacity building.
Officials from the Ministry of Commerce and the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) briefed the delegation on Pakistan’s accession to the Madrid Protocol and the Marrakech Treaty, with further reforms underway in patents and copyright law.
Members of the European Parliament praised Pakistan’s constructive engagement and its focus on reforms, human capital development, and institutional strengthening. The delegation acknowledged Pakistan’s potential and affirmed that dialogue and partnership would continue to guide EU–Pakistan relations.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing appreciation and reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, and sustainable development.
