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ISLAMABAD: The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, is due to arrive in Islamabad today for an official visit aimed at advancing Pakistan-EU ties through the eighth session of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue.
Kallas, who serves as Vice-President of the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. Both will co-chair the strategic dialogue, the highest-level institutional mechanism for structured engagement between Pakistan and the EU.
According to the Foreign Office, the visit reflects the growing momentum in high-level political exchanges and both sides’ commitment to further strengthening their multifaceted partnership.
During her stay, Kallas is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, PM Shehbaz Sharif and CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir. She is also expected to hold a joint press conference with the deputy premier following the session.
The strategic dialogue will provide an opportunity to review progress under the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan, signed in 2019, and discuss cooperation in areas including trade, development, security, climate action and regional and international issues of mutual interest. Pakistan regards the EU as one of its most important international partners. The EU is Pakistan’s second-largest trading partner, with bilateral ties underpinned by the GSP+ trade scheme, which grants Pakistani exports duty-free or preferential access to European markets. Since Pakistan secured GSP+ status in 2014, its exports to the bloc have recorded significant growth.
The visit comes as Pakistan and the EU continue to engage on governance, human rights and sustainable development commitments linked to the GSP+ framework. During the 15th Pakistan-EU Joint Commission meeting held in Brussels in Dec 2025, the EU acknowledged Pakistan’s progress in implementing key international conventions while encouraging further reforms in other areas.
The two sides are expected to reaffirm their commitment to deepening cooperation across a broad range of sectors during her visit.
Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2026
