The European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on June 1 for high-level meetings and to co-chair the eighth round of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, according to an EU statement released on Saturday.
Strategic Dialogue Overview
The dialogue will be jointly led by Kallas and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar. The discussions will review the full scope of bilateral cooperation under the Strategic Engagement Plan signed in 2019, which covers political, economic, security, and development cooperation between the two sides.
The EU described the Strategic Dialogue as its most senior institutional platform for engagement with Pakistan, providing an opportunity to discuss regional developments, global issues, and areas of mutual interest. Officials indicated that talks will also focus on future directions in relations, particularly in trade, climate cooperation, and migration management.
High-Level Meetings Scheduled
During her visit, Kallas is expected to call on President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir. These meetings are anticipated to underscore continued high-level political and strategic engagement between the EU and Pakistan.
Broader Engagement with Civil Society
The EU statement highlighted that the visit will include interactions with think tanks and academic institutions, reflecting the EU's broader approach of engaging civil society alongside government-to-government talks. A joint press conference between Kallas and Ishaq Dar is expected after the dialogue, where both sides will brief the media on outcomes and areas of consensus.
