FM Qureshi and European Union’s High Representative discuss boosting Pak-EU cooperation

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 27(APP):Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and European Union’s High Representative of the European Union on Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, Wednesday discussed steps to strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and the EU.
The two leaders, who met on the sidelines of 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, highlighted the positive impact of European Union’s “GSP Plus” status on trade between Pakistan and the EU, according to an official statement.
Pakistan acquired the GSP plus status in 2013 that grants member states duty-free access to 96 percent of Pakistani exports to the EU.
They also agreed to continue work together for the strengthening cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, development, migration and peace and security.
The foreign minister also briefed the High Representative on the regional situation.
He reiterated that an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process was the only viable option for a lasting peace in Afghanistan. Peace and stability in Afghanistan was in the best interest of all, including Pakistan and the region.
The foreign minister reiterated the invitation to the High Representative to visit to Pakistan in November this year for the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue.
The High Representative said she was looking forward to the visit, the statement said.