ISLAMABAD, Monday, June 1, 2026 (WNP): European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas on Monday described Pakistan as a major regional power and an important partner of the European Union, while commending Islamabad’s role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran.
During her visit to Pakistan, Kallas held separate meetings with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to discuss bilateral relations, regional developments and avenues for expanding cooperation between Pakistan and the European Union.
“Pakistan is a major regional power and an important partner for the European Union,” Kallas said following the high-level engagements in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The EU foreign policy chief said her discussions with the Pakistani leadership focused on further strengthening the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the European Union across political, economic, security and diplomatic spheres.
She particularly praised Pakistan’s efforts in promoting regional peace and stability, highlighting its role in facilitating talks between the United States and Iran.
“I commended Pakistan for its key role in facilitating US-Iran talks,” Kallas said, underscoring the importance of diplomatic engagement and dialogue in addressing regional and international challenges.
The meetings reviewed the evolving regional situation and explored opportunities to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, climate action, security and people-to-people exchanges.
Kallas noted that economic ties remain a cornerstone of the EU-Pakistan relationship, emphasizing the significance of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) arrangement in supporting Pakistan’s exports and economic growth.
“The European Union is Pakistan’s largest export destination, and Pakistan is the world’s leading beneficiary of EU trade preferences under GSP+,” she said.
The EU remains Pakistan’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade expanding steadily in recent years, supported by preferential market access under the GSP+ framework.
The visit reflected the growing strategic importance of Pakistan-EU relations and reaffirmed both sides’ commitment to strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including regional peace, economic development, sustainable growth and international diplomacy.
Kallas’s engagements come at a time when Pakistan is playing an increasingly active diplomatic role in regional peace initiatives, while also seeking to expand economic and political partnerships with key international stakeholders, including the European Union.
The visit is expected to provide renewed momentum to Pakistan-EU cooperation and further strengthen engagement on regional and global issues of shared concern.
