Seventh Round of the European Union-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue on 21 November 2025
The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP), Kaja Kallas, and Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Senator Ishaq Dar, co-chaired the 7th Round of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue held in Brussels on 21 November 2025.
The meeting was an occasion to discuss EU-Pakistan bilateral relations, with special regard to reviewing cooperation in the framework of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan from 2019. Both sides agreed to further deepen cooperation in all areas covered under the SEP with the objective of aligning overall strategic outlook.
Both sides welcomed the timely convening of dialogue mechanisms and reaffirmed the importance of sustained cooperation across trade, migration, human rights, political, economic and development areas, including under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. They agreed to further deepen knowledge partnerships through Erasmus Mundus and Horizon Europe and to work together on emerging challenges related to food and energy security and climate change.
The EU and Pakistan reiterated the importance of continued collaboration to promote sustainable growth and trade development. In this regard, the leaders expressed a strong political commitment towards the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) which remains one of the key elements of EU-Pakistan relations. The HR/VP informed about the ongoing process leading to the adoption of a new Generalised Scheme of Preferences. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continue working closely towards universal promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in line with their international obligations.
During their discussion, High Representative Kallas and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar re-confirmed the commitment of both Pakistan and the European Union to multilateralism, principles of the UN Charter, the rules-based international order, peace, stability and prosperity, grounded in shared values and common interests. They highlighted the importance of close collaboration on regional and global security.
Both sides stressed the need to find peaceful solutions to conflicts, in full respect of the principles of international law and the UN Charter. The EU side briefed on Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Pakistan side briefed on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. They discussed the situation in the Middle East and welcomed the agreement reached on the first phase of the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza Conflict put forward by President Trump. They reiterated the importance of ensuring that all parties adhere to the ceasefire, implement all phases, and refrain from any actions that jeopardise the agreement and recalled the importance of Gaza’s stabilisation, transitional governance, recovery and reconstruction, as well as unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. They also underscored their support for concrete steps towards the two-state solution in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions.
The ministers discussed Pakistan-Afghanistan relations amid October 2025 cross-border tensions, reaffirming their commitment to regional peace, stability, prosperity and resolving issues through dialogue between neighbours. The two sides called on Afghanistan’s de facto Authorities to play a constructive role in achieving the shared objective of rooting out terrorism from Afghan soil.
Expressing concern over Afghanistan's deteriorating socio-economic conditions, they supported a peaceful, stable and self-reliant Afghanistan contributing to regional stability, advocating for a credible political process aligned with the UN-led "Doha process," and in line with the commitments made by the Talibande facto Authorities to the international community. They appreciated Pakistan for hosting millions of Afghan nationals for over four decades. The EU side emphasised that any return must be safe, dignified and in line with international standards.Both sides called upon the Afghan authorities to ensure protection of human rights, especially for women, girls and vulnerable communities.
Both sides agreed to convene the 8th Round of the Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad.