Pakistan and the European Union (EU) in the first EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue Tuesday agreed to the establishment of a Pak-EU Steering Committee on Counter terrorism, in Islamabad. The Pakistan side was led by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and the European Union delegation was led by Foreign Policy chief Catherine Ashton. The two sides expressed their deep satisfaction at the launching of the Strategic Dialogue, reflecting the comprehensive and forward looking nature of EU-Pakistan relations. Both sides also welcomed the new Five-Year Engagement Plan that demonstrates the strength and diversity of this long term and broad based partnership. The two sides engaged in constructive and detailed discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation and shared views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. Khar expressed appreciation for the package of Autonomous Trade Preferences (ATPs) for Pakistan offered by the EU in the aftermath of the devastating 2010 floods. Ashton conveyed that the process was nearing completion in Brussels, and that the package would be implemented as soon as possible. They also discussed the GSP+ scheme and Khar hoped that Pakistan could be considered for this favorable trading scheme in 2014. The Dialogue provided an opportunity to review EU development cooperation including the broad parameters of the second EU Multi-annual Indicative Program (MIP) for 2007-2013, which included projects for rural development and natural resource management, education and human resource management, governance and human rights, and trade development.
