In mid-April 2025, a high-level delegation from the European Union Parliament, consisting of three Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), visited Pakistan as part of ongoing efforts to enhance institutional interparliamentary dialogue.
This visit, following the reciprocal visit of Pakistan’s National Assembly to Brussels in March 2023, provided a platform for in-depth discussions on key issues such as human rights, economic cooperation, climate change, and the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).
The delegation, led by Serban Dimitrie Sturdza, met with senior Pakistani officials, including Deputy Chairman Senate Syedaal Khan, to reaffirm the strategic partnership between the EU and Pakistan. The visit focused particularly on strengthening parliamentary diplomacy, an essential component in fostering stable and productive EU-Pakistan relations.
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A central topic of the meeting was the ongoing dialogue on human rights. Both sides acknowledged notable progress in certain areas, such as the reduction in capital punishment. However, significant concerns remain regarding civil society space, freedom of expression, and the migration crisis.
The EU delegation stressed the importance of continued dialogue on these issues, underlining the EU’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in addressing human rights challenges and advancing democratic reforms.
European Parliament press services confirmed to Political Uprise News that the EU is closely monitoring Pakistan’s progress in these areas, as these factors are critical to Pakistan’s continued participation in the GSP+ program, which provides preferential access to the EU market. Human rights compliance is a key component of GSP+ eligibility, making it a pivotal aspect of the EU-Pakistan relationship.
The discussions also focused on Pakistan’s participation in the GSP+ framework. As part of their ongoing evaluation, the European Union will conduct a monitoring mission in June 2025 to assess Pakistan’s compliance with the conditions required under GSP+.
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The mission will review progress in areas such as labor rights, environmental standards, and human rights. This monitoring mission is particularly significant as the new GSP+ framework is set to be adopted soon.
The European Parliament reaffirmed its commitment to continued engagement with Pakistan to ensure that it meets the sustainable development and human rights criteria necessary for maintaining GSP+ benefits.
The delegation emphasized the importance of progress in these areas, highlighting that the successful continuation of GSP+ is closely tied to advancements in governance, freedom of expression, and civil liberties.
Throughout the visit, the EU delegation also took note of Pakistan’s efforts in expanding education and vocational training, particularly for its large, young population (60% under the age of 30). The EU delegation visited several EU-funded projects in Pakistan, praising initiatives aimed at providing youth with critical skills to drive economic growth. Senator Bushra Anjum Butt underscored the ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and the EU in these sectors.
Despite challenges, both sides emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to improve the human rights situation in Pakistan, with a particular focus on expanding educational opportunities and supporting civil society organizations.
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In addition to human rights, the meetings also addressed economic cooperation, with a specific focus on attracting investment. The upcoming EU-Pakistan Business Forum, scheduled for May 2025, was discussed as a critical event for promoting trade and investment in key sectors such as IT, renewable energy, agribusiness, and textiles.
Deputy Chairman Senate Syedaal Khan expressed hope that the forum would lead to increased foreign investment, which could support Pakistan’s long-term economic stability.
The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was also highlighted as an important initiative aimed at creating an investor-friendly environment in Pakistan. Both sides agreed that such initiatives align with the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy, offering opportunities for investment in sustainable infrastructure, digital transformation, and green energy sectors.
Deputy Chairman Syedaal Khan also underscored the critical role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening bilateral ties. He expressed confidence that the visit would contribute to a deeper understanding between Pakistan and the European Union, which would help advance shared priorities, particularly human rights and economic growth.
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Syedaal Khan called on the EU to take a strong stance on ongoing human rights violations in Palestine and Occupied Kashmir, urging for a just and lasting resolution to these long-standing conflicts as essential to regional peace and stability.
With the June 2025 monitoring mission fast approaching, the focus will remain on Pakistan’s compliance with human rights and GSP+ criteria, which will play a significant role in shaping the future of EU-Pakistan relations.
