In order to continue availing the GSP+ facility provided by the EU, Pakistan is required to ensure the implementation of 27 UN conventions relating to human rights, labour rights, and climate change, the EU said in a press release.
Pakistan has been enjoying the facility provided by the EU since 2014 and has immensely benefited from the zero import duty on 66% of the tariff lines. The EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP Plus) gives developing countries a special incentive to pursue sustainable development and good governance. This comes after the 12th European Union (EU)-Pakistan Joint Commission meeting that took place on 5 October in Islamabad to exchange views on all areas of cooperation between the EU and Pakistan.
The Joint Commission was briefed about the outcomes of the sub-group meetings on democracy, governance, the rule of law, and human rights. According to the press release, Pakistan and the EU discussed civil and political rights, the rights of minorities and vulnerable groups, and freedom of religion or belief.The role of civil society organisations, freedom of expression and opinion, media freedom, and the fight against disinformation were also discussed. Blasphemy in Pakistan was also discussed at the meeting.
The violation of women’s and children’s rights, transgender rights, and the protection of journalists was part of the deliberations held in Islamabad. Both parties discussed legislative proposals, namely the anti-torture bill and the bill on enforced disappearances. The EU expressed solidarity with the people affected by the unprecedented climate-induced floods that have ravaged the country and informed them of its contribution to meeting the most pressing needs of the affected population.Notably, the Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) resulted in a EUR 12.2 billion increase in EU-Pakistan trade in 2021.They discussed ways to address issues hampering trade and investment.
The EU has stressed on the effective implementation of the 27 international conventions related to GSP+. The EU informed Pakistan about Global Gateway, a EUR 300 billion co-investment strategy rooted in partnership, sustainability, and the rule of law. The Joint Commission was co-chaired by Gunnar Wiegand, Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific in the European External Action Service, and Muhammad Humair
Karim, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs. Representatives of the relevant Ministries of the Government of Pakistan, as well as of the European Commission, the European External Action Service, and the Ambassador of the EU to Pakistan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the EU, and observers from EU Member States also participated in the meeting. It was agreed that the next session of the EU-Pakistan Joint Commission will be held in Brussels in 2023.