PM Shehbaz stresses GSP Plus importance in meeting with EU top leadership

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has highlighted the importance of the European Union’s GSP Plus scheme for Pakistan’s economic development, employment generation and trade with the bloc, while reiterating Islamabad’s commitment to continued engagement under the framework.

The remarks came during PM Shehbaz’s meeting with the President of the European Council, António Luís Santos da Costa and the President of the European Commission, Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly 2026, read a statement from the PM’s Office on Thursday.

During the meeting, the leaders reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan-European Union relations and expressed satisfaction at the growing momentum in high-level exchanges and engagement between Pakistan and the EU.

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The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its broad-based partnership with the EU and to the full implementation of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan. He underscored the importance of sustained leadership-level engagement in providing greater direction and momentum to the relationship.

The prime minister highlighted the importance of GSP Plus for Pakistan’s economic development, employment generation and trade with the European Union, and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to continued engagement with the EU under the framework.

Pakistan was granted the EU GSP Plus status in 2014, which became effective from January 1, 2014. This status provided Pakistan with duty-free access to the EU market for a significant portion of its exports, specifically around two-thirds of all EU tariff lines.

The GSP Plus status has been crucial for Pakistan’s economy, leading to a substantial increase in its exports to the EU. From 2014 to 2022, Pakistan’s exports to the EU increased by 108%, with the total trade volume growing from EUR 8.3 billion in 2013 to EUR 14.85 billion in 2022.

During the meeting, the leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments and reaffirmed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, international law and peaceful resolution of disputes.

The prime minister reiterated his invitation to the Presidents of the European Council and European Commission to visit Pakistan and spoke of his desire to continue working closely with the EU leadership to further deepen the mutually beneficial partnership.