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EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas on Monday arrived in Islamabad to hold discussions with a focus on EU-Pakistan relations and regional cooperation. According to the state-run Pakistan TV, she was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at the Foreign Office in Islamabad. Kallas is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of DPM Dar. During the meeting between FM Dar and the EU official, both sides acknowledged the positive trajectory of Pakistan-EU ties and agreed to further strengthen the mutually beneficial partnership. “The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments, ahead of the 8th Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue which is being held subsequently,” the Foreign Office said. According to the FO, her visit is aimed at advancing bilateral engagement and regional cooperation between Pakistan and the EU. During her stay, Kallas and Dar will co-chair the 8th Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue, the highest-level institutional platform for discussions between the two sides. The dialogue is expected to review bilateral relations under the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan signed in 2019 and explore ways to deepen cooperation across a range of sectors. Kallas is also scheduled to meet Pakistan’s top leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as part of her engagements in Islamabad. The European External Action Service said she will additionally hold discussions with Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and representatives of think tanks and academia. The Foreign Office said Pakistan highly values its longstanding and multidimensional partnership with the European Union, which is based on shared values, economic cooperation and support for multilateralism. The ministry added that the visit reflects the growing momentum of high-level exchanges and a shared commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-EU relations. The EU remains one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners, with cooperation spanning trade, development, climate action, governance and regional security. Analysts view the upcoming dialogue as an opportunity for both sides to review progress under existing frameworks and discuss regional and international developments.
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