Pakistan and the European Union (EU) jointly called on Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to take a constructive role in eliminating terrorism from Afghan soil, emphasizing the shared objective of regional peace and security.
The call came during the seventh Strategic Dialogue in Brussels on November 21, co-chaired by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and EU High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas.
According to a joint statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the discussions focused on Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, particularly in the aftermath of cross-border tensions in October 2025.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to stability, prosperity, and the resolution of disputes through dialogue between neighboring countries.
“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,” the statement said.
Highlighting concern over Afghanistan’s worsening socio-economic conditions, Pakistan and the EU emphasized support for a peaceful, stable, and self-reliant Afghanistan, which contributes to broader regional stability.
The EU lauded Pakistan for hosting millions of Afghan nationals for over four decades and stressed that any return of refugees must be safe, dignified, and aligned with international standards.
Both parties urged Afghan authorities to protect human rights, with particular attention to women, girls, and vulnerable communities.
Beyond Afghanistan, the dialogue reviewed the EU-Pakistan partnership under the 2019 Strategic Engagement Plan, agreeing to deepen cooperation across political, economic, trade, development, migration, climate, and security sectors.
The partners welcomed ongoing collaboration through programs such as Erasmus Mundus and Horizon Europe and pledged stronger joint efforts on food security, energy, and climate change.
They also reaffirmed commitment to sustainable growth and trade development, emphasizing the role of the GSP+ arrangement in EU-Pakistan relations.
The EU briefed Pakistan on progress toward adopting a new GSP framework, while both sides reiterated their dedication to promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The meeting also saw an exchange of views on global and regional issues. The EU provided an update on Russia’s war in Ukraine, while Pakistan raised the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Both sides discussed developments in the Middle East and welcomed the agreement on the first phase of the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza conflict.
They urged all parties to maintain the ceasefire, avoid actions that could jeopardise the agreement, and prioritise humanitarian access, stabilisation, transitional governance, and reconstruction in Gaza.
They further reiterated support for concrete steps toward a two-state solution in line with UN resolutions.
Concluding the meeting, both sides affirmed their shared commitment to multilateralism, the UN Charter and a rules-based international order grounded in common interests. They agreed to hold the 8th Round of the Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad.
