Shehbaz, EU Leaders Discuss Trade, GSP+ and Stronger Pakistan-EU Ties
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — WEB DESK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the European Union, highlighting the importance of the GSP+ trade framework for the country’s economic development, employment and trade with the bloc.
Shehbaz held talks with European Council President António Luís Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting is also listed in Costa’s official UNGA schedule.
The leaders reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan-EU relations and expressed satisfaction with what they described as growing momentum in high-level exchanges and engagement between Islamabad and the European bloc.
Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the full implementation of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan, saying sustained contacts at the leadership level could provide greater direction and momentum to bilateral relations.
A key focus of the talks was the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus, or GSP+, which provides qualifying countries preferential access to the EU market subject to compliance with relevant international conventions.
Shehbaz emphasised that GSP+ is important for Pakistan’s economic development, employment generation and trade with the European Union, while reiterating Islamabad’s commitment to continued engagement with Brussels under the framework.
For Pakistan, access to the European market is particularly significant for export-oriented industries, including textiles and apparel. The government has repeatedly treated continuation of preferential access to the EU market as an important part of its broader export and investment strategy.
The meeting went beyond economic relations. Shehbaz, Costa and von der Leyen also discussed regional and global developments, according to official Pakistani reporting. They reaffirmed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, international law and peaceful settlement of disputes.
The discussion took place during a UN General Assembly session dominated by several international crises and renewed diplomatic efforts involving the Middle East and other conflicts.
Shehbaz also reiterated invitations to both Costa and von der Leyen to visit Pakistan and said Islamabad wanted to continue working closely with the EU leadership to deepen the mutually beneficial partnership.
Pakistan and the EU have maintained high-level contacts throughout 2026. In March, Shehbaz and Costa discussed bilateral ties and the Middle East during a telephone conversation, with the Pakistani prime minister again highlighting GSP+ and broader economic engagement.
The latest meeting in New York therefore builds on that engagement, with trade, preferential market access and implementation of the Strategic Engagement Plan emerging as central elements of Pakistan’s current diplomatic outreach to the European Union.
No new trade agreement or change to Pakistan’s GSP+ status was announced following the New York meeting. The talks instead reaffirmed existing cooperation and Pakistan’s interest in maintaining and expanding its economic relationship with the EU.
