At the Brussels discussions, the EU and Pakistan discussed about deeper cooperation.

According to an official joint statement released by the Pakistani foreign office, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed its first credit financing agreement in Pakistan’s water sector since 2015. This signifies a renewed development engagement between Pakistan and the European Union.

Muhammad Humair Karim, secretary of Pakistan’s ministry of economic affairs, and Paola Pampaloni, acting managing director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service, co-chaired the 15th EU-Pakistan Joint Commission meeting in Brussels, where the agreement and wider cooperation were discussed.

The statement claims that Pakistan addressed the EU on important regional issues, such as the Indus Waters Treaty and the Jammu and Kashmir crisis, emphasizing the significance of settling conflicts “peacefully and in accordance with international law and the principles of the UN Charter.”

According to the statement, the parties also discussed world events, especially those in Gaza, and reaffirmed their support for a comprehensive strategy to resolve the conflict.

Threats from Afghanistan’s land, the country’s security condition, and the necessity of ongoing humanitarian aid were all covered.

Governance and human rights

According to the foreign office, the EU praised Pakistan’s election to the UN Human Rights Council, recognized advancements in bringing the death sentence into compliance with international norms, and called for “further steps in this direction.”

The rights of minorities and vulnerable groups, freedom of expression and the media, judicial independence, freedom of religion or belief, and anti-Muslim sentiment were all discussed.

The EU reaffirmed its support for Pakistan’s efforts to protect basic liberties, such as the rights of migrants, women, children, and workers.

GSP+ and trade

The main focus was on trade relations between the EU and Pakistan, with both parties discussing difficulties in gaining access to markets and working together under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).

Additionally, they committed to enhancing the general business climate and reaffirmed their intention to further this effort at the High-Level EU-Pakistan Business Forum, which is set for April 28–29, 2026, in Islamabad.

Both parties concurred that governance, human capital development, and green inclusive growth—priority topics under the Multiannual Indicative Program—remain in line with Pakistan’s national development plan.

Cooperation in research and technology, education, digitalization, and connectivity were also discussed at the meeting.

Plans to investigate scientific collaboration under Horizon Europe were mentioned, coupled with the increasing number of Pakistani students participating in the Erasmus Mundus program.

It also evaluated the progress made in the EU-Pakistan discussion on migration and mobility. Both sides emphasized that returns must be “safe and dignified,” while the EU praised Pakistan’s efforts to combat irregular migration and migrant smuggling, according to the MoFA statement.