Delegation of the European Parliament finishes its visit to Pakistan

MEPs expressed their appreciation for Pakistan’s role in helping to channel humanitarian aid and in facilitating the relocation of vulnerable Afghans to numerous countries.

The European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with South Asia paid an official visit to Islamabad on 3-4 November 2021. At the 12th inter-parliamentary meeting between the European Parliament and the National Assembly of Pakistan MEPs and representatives from both Chambers of the Parliament of Pakistan reviewed together the state of relations between the European Union and Pakistan.

Led by the Chair Nicola Procaccini (Italy, ECR), the four-member EP delegation met with Pakistan’s Speaker of the National Assembly, the Deputy Chairman of the Senate, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Law and Justice, the Prime Minister´s Advisor on Commerce, the Attorney General of Pakistan, the Governor of Punjab, as well as representatives of civil society organisations and the media.

MEPs focused on issues such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, EU-Pakistan trade cooperation, including the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP+) scheme, climate change, regional issues, good governance. They also discussed the rule of law, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and the situation of minorities. The EP delegation underlined the EU wish to remain a reliable partner for Pakistan. It will continue to support all efforts in areas where more concrete steps are needed, such as human rights - in particular on blasphemy laws and rights of religious minorities, freedom of expression, the rule of law and strengthening democratic institutions, as well as the active participation of civil society organisations.

MEPs also took note of Pakistan’s relevant role regarding developments in Afghanistan. They stressed that Pakistan’s close historic and cultural ties with Afghanistan and the privileged contacts with the Taliban are an important tool in trying to address the risk of a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan. While recalling the EU’s benchmarks for engagement with Kabul, MEPs expressed their appreciation for the role of Pakistan in helping channel humanitarian aid and in facilitating the relocation of vulnerable Afghans to numerous countries. MEPs also recognised the efforts Pakistan has made to give shelter to over three million registered refugees in recent decades.

The members of the delegation were:

Nicola PROCACCINI (Italy, ECR), Chair of the Delegation

Heidi HAUTALA (Finland, Greens), Vice-President of the European Parliament

Luis GARICANO (Spain, Renew)

Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ (Czechia, EPP)