On February 20, 2025, Pakistan and the EU held their ninth counter-terrorism dialogue in Brussels to enhance cooperation in combating terrorism. They addressed regional issues and emphasized collaboration with international partners. Additionally, the ongoing review of Pakistan’s GSP+ status and the significance of human rights were discussed during the visit of the EU Special Representative for Human Rights.
On February 20, 2025, Pakistan and the European Union convened their ninth counter-terrorism dialogue in Brussels, focusing on enhancing collaborative efforts in combatting terrorism as part of the 2019 Strategic Engagement Plan. The delegation from the EU was headed by Maciej Stadejek, Director for Security and Defence Policy at the European External Action Service, while Abdul Hameed, Director General for Counter-Terrorism, represented Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both sides expressed their condemnation of terrorism in all its manifestations and reiterated their commitment to combat it. The dialogue addressed regional and global security challenges, particularly the implications arising from the situations in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
Additionally, the talks underscored the necessity of strong collaboration with international partners in multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum, which the EU has co-chaired since 2022.
The discussions also focused on sharing best practices and fostering concrete cooperation in areas such as the prevention and countering of violent extremism, foreign fighter movements, online radicalization, and terrorism financing.
Earlier in January, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Ambassador Olof Skoog, visited Pakistan to address issues regarding human rights and to discuss the GSP+ status amidst ongoing reviews of the trade policy. During his visit, he engaged with various stakeholders, including government officials and civil society members.
Ambassador Skoog reinforced the EU’s dedication to aiding Pakistan in fulfilling its human rights obligations, highlighting the importance of meaningful dialogue with diverse stakeholders and the active civil society in Pakistan.
The recent counter-terrorism dialogue between Pakistan and the European Union highlights both parties’ commitment to combat terrorism collaboratively. Their discussions addressed vital issues in global security and emphasized the essential role of international cooperation. Additionally, fostering human rights in Pakistan remains a key area of focus as highlighted by the EU’s ongoing support.
Original Source: www.geo.tv
