Pakistan, EU pledge to broaden cooperation under GSP+ framework

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday met the newly appointed European Union Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the EU under the GSP+ framework.

According to the EU’s website GSPHub, the framework is a “special incentive arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance that supports vulnerable developing countries.” Pakistan has had the status of GSP+ since 2014. Pakistan has exported €8.0 billion in 2023, of which €6.2 billion were exported using the GSP+ preferences. 

The foreign office, in a statement on X today, said that the deputy prime minister “reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further deepening Pakistan–EU cooperation, including under the GSP+ framework.” 

“Recent regional and international developments were also discussed,” the statement said.

GSPhub said the EU is Pakistan's second most important trading partner, behind China, with a share of approximately 15%.

“32% of Pakistan's exports go to the EU market, making the EU the most important export destination for products from Pakistan,” it added.