European Commission president phones PM Shehbaz, agrees to bolster ties

Islamabad: Pakistan and European Commission on Friday agreed to bolster relations, intensify investment and trade cooperation, and enhance mutual cooperation in diverse fields.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen called Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and congratulated him on assuming the office of the prime minister.

She underlined the body's desire to further strengthen its bilateral relationship with Pakistan.

The prime minister expressed his thanks for the felicitations and stated that Pakistan greatly valued its relations with the European Union, which were based on shared values and common objectives of peace, prosperity and development.

PM Shehbaz highlighted the importance of closer trade and investment ties between Pakistan and the EU.

He appreciated the GSP Plus arrangement and underlined that being a mutually beneficial scheme, it had played an important role in the expansion of Pakistan-EU trade.

The premier lauded Leyen’s stewardship of the EU Commission and underscored his resolve to further deepen mutual engagement, while also extending a cordial invitation to the body's president.

The two leaders agreed to stay in contact and work together to expand Pakistan-EU relations, intensify investment and trade cooperation, and enhance mutual cooperation between the two sides in diverse fields.