The European Union (EU) and Pakistan are in the process of finalising a new engagement plan that aims to further deepen relations between the two.
The talks build on a five-year engagement plan implemented by the EU in 2012 and a ‘Strategic Dialogue’ covering a wide range of issues from security, including counter- terrorism, non-proliferation and regional cooperation, to human rights, migration and development cooperation.
Speaking to members of the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) on Monday (22 January), Ambassador of the European Union, Jean Francois Cautain is understood to have said the EU is reviewing the progress Pakistan has made on implementing the 27 UN conventions pertaining to human rights, labour rights, climate change, narcotics control and corruption.
Indeed, he said the decision to continue with Pakistan’s GSP+ status will be made on the basis of a biannual review next week by the EU Parliament.
In a series of tweets, the Ambassador said the new plan is expected to be finalised during the next month.
“It will provide a tool to further strengthen bilateral relations between Pakistan and European Union with a focused approach on education and human resource development,” he added.
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By GlobalDataEurope is a major export destination for Pakistan and its largest trading partner, particularly for apparel and textiles. It was granted GSP+ duty-free access to EU markets in January 2014. This has led to a 55% increase in textile exports.
Shaiq Jawed, chairman of the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA), told the Pakistan Tribune: “Not only has Pakistan’s market share increased, but exports to the EU have also jumped from EUR4.54bn in 2013 to EUR6.29bn in 2016.”
He added that an international labour standard compliance and reporting programme was successfully running in Pakistan with technical assistance from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to improve workplace practices in the textile industry.
Another programme, in collaboration with WWF Pakistan, has also been initiated to support enforcement and compliance with global labour and environmental standards.
