NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has highlighted the importance of the European Union’s GSP Plus framework for Pakistan’s economic development, employment generation and trade as Islamabad seeks to deepen its partnership with the bloc.
Shehbaz made the remarks during a meeting with European Council President António Luís Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The leaders reviewed the full range of Pakistan-EU relations and expressed satisfaction with the growing momentum in high-level engagement between the two sides.
Shehbaz stresses GSP Plus importance
The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its broad-based partnership with the European Union and fully implementing the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan.
He stressed the importance of sustained leadership-level engagement, saying regular high-level contacts could provide greater direction and momentum to bilateral relations.
Shehbaz specifically highlighted GSP Plus as an important framework for Pakistan’s economic development, job creation and trade with the European Union. He also reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to continued engagement with the EU under the framework.
PM Shehbaz, Dar hold diplomatic meetings on UNGA sidelines
The EU is Pakistan’s largest export destination, while Pakistan is the bloc’s largest GSP+ beneficiary.
The leaders also discussed regional and global developments and reaffirmed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
EU, Pakistan discuss wider cooperation
Von der Leyen said the EU valued its partnership with Pakistan and highlighted the breadth of cooperation under the Strategic Engagement Plan, including areas such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights and civic space.
The two sides also discussed cooperation on trade and efforts to address illegal migration, while reviewing regional and international developments.
The meeting came shortly after Pakistan and the EU signed financing agreements worth €65 million for programmes covering investment facilitation, energy and environmental resilience, and support for the rule of law and business environment.
Had the pleasure of meeting the President of the European Council H.E. Mr. Antonio Costa, and the European Commission President H.E. Ursula von der Leyen, on the sidelines of UNGA in New York.
We had a productive exchange on the growing Pakistan-EU partnership and agreed on the… pic.twitter.com/L2NWZunilw
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 23, 2026
Pakistan seeks deeper engagement with EU
Shehbaz reiterated his invitation to the presidents of the European Council and European Commission to visit Pakistan.
The prime minister also expressed Islamabad’s desire to work closely with EU leadership to further deepen what he described as a mutually beneficial partnership.
GSP Plus remains a significant part of Pakistan-EU economic ties. The European Union’s latest monitoring report said Pakistan recorded €7.5 billion in GSP+-eligible exports to the EU in 2024, primarily in textiles and clothing.
