ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Federal Minister for Defence Khurram Dastgir Khan on Saturday said Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Plus proved an affirmative success since coming into force in January 2014 as Pakistan’s exports to the European Union rose 39 percent while EU’s exports to Pakistan also rose 39 percent.
“It is a mutually beneficial partnership,” the minister while talking to the South Asia Delegation in the European Parliament, Brussels.
The minister along with a delegation of Parliamentarians was on a four-day visit to Brussels, the Capital of Belgium.
The delegation of Parliamentarians included the former Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza, the Chairman National Assembly Commerce Committee Siraj Khan and the Chairman Senate Commerce Committee Shibli Faraz.
Khurram Dastgir emphasized that Pak-EU cooperation was based on shared values of democracy and protecting rights of citizens.
“Leveraging GSP Plus as an incentive, Pakistan has made tremendous strides in passing legislation and creating institutions that protect rights of vulnerable sectors of society such as women, minorities, and children,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Chairman of EU Military Committee General Mikhail Kostarakos called on Minister for Defence to discuss creating a permanent Pak-EU dialogue on military and strategic issues.
Mikhail Kostarakos is also due to visit Pakistan in the first half of next month.
Dastgir also held intensive interaction with Brussels-based Belgian, international, and Pakistani media.
