Islamabad/Brussels, November 23,2025: Pakistan and the European Union (EU) have jointly urged Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to play a “constructive role” in eliminating terrorism emanating from Afghan soil, as both sides met in Brussels for the seventh Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue.
The demand was made during the meeting co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and EU High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas on November 21. The Foreign Office issued a detailed joint statement outlining key discussions on Afghanistan, bilateral cooperation and wider regional developments.
The two sides exchanged views on Pakistan-Afghanistan relations in the backdrop of cross-border tensions in October 2025. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional peace, stability and prosperity, stressing the need to resolve issues through dialogue.
“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 joint statement said.
Both sides expressed concern over Afghanistan’s worsening socio-economic conditions and emphasised support for a peaceful, stable and self-reliant Afghanistan, seen as vital for regional stability.
The EU also acknowledged Pakistan’s decades-long hosting of millions of Afghan refugees, underscoring that any repatriation must be “safe, dignified, and in accordance with international standards.”
Additionally, the statement called on Afghan authorities to ensure the protection of human rights — particularly for women, girls and vulnerable groups — amid ongoing restrictions under Taliban rule.
Beyond Afghanistan, the dialogue reviewed the implementation of the 2019 EU-Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan, with both sides agreeing to deepen cooperation in political, economic, development, trade, migration, climate and security areas.
They noted positive collaboration under Erasmus Mundus and Horizon Europe and committed to enhancing joint work on food and energy security, sustainable development and climate change.
Reaffirming the central importance of the GSP+ arrangement to bilateral trade, the EU briefed Pakistan on progress toward adopting a new GSP framework. Both partners reiterated their commitment to promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms as a core component of their engagement.
The meeting also included an exchange on major regional and international security matters. The EU provided Pakistan with an update on Russia’s war in Ukraine. Pakistan raised the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Both sides reviewed the situation in the Middle East, welcoming the agreement on the first phase of the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza conflict.
They urged all parties to uphold the ceasefire, prevent actions that could jeopardise the peace process, and prioritise humanitarian access, stabilisation, transitional governance and reconstruction in Gaza. Both sides reiterated their support for concrete steps toward a two-state solution in accordance with UN resolutions.
Concluding the dialogue, Pakistan and the EU reaffirmed their shared commitment to multilateralism, the UN Charter and a rules-based international order grounded in mutual interests.
The two sides agreed to hold the 8th Round of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad.
