Pakistan and EU Strengthen Counter-Terrorism Cooperation in Brussels
Pakistan and the EU held their ninth counter-terrorism dialogue in Brussels on February 20, 2025, focusing on cooperative strategies to combat terrorism. Discussions led by officials from both sides also addressed global security challenges, including tensions in Afghanistan and the Middle East. Additionally, emphasis was placed on international cooperation and the importance of best practices to mitigate terrorism-related threats, alongside ongoing discussions regarding human rights in Pakistan.
On February 20, 2025, Pakistan and the European Union convened their ninth counter-terrorism dialogue in Brussels to discuss collaborative efforts to improve counter-terrorism measures as part of the 2019 Strategic Engagement Plan. The discussions were led by Maciej Stadejek, Director for Security and Defence Policy at the European External Action Service, and Abdul Hameed, Director General for Counter-Terrorism at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan.
The delegations from both sides expressed their shared condemnation of terrorism in all its manifestations and reiterated their commitment to combat it. Their talks facilitated discussions regarding regional and global security challenges, particularly the implications of the situations in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
Furthermore, both parties underscored the necessity of robust cooperation with international partners within multilateral arenas, notably within the framework of the United Nations and the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum, which has been co-chaired by the EU since 2022.
The discussions also highlighted the exchange of best practices in combating terrorism, focusing on issues such as violent extremism prevention, foreign fighter recruitment and movement, online radicalization, and the financing of terrorism. These efforts are crucial in addressing the escalating threats posed by terrorism.
In a related visit in January, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Ambassador Olof Skoog, traveled to Pakistan to emphasize the importance of advancing human rights to benefit from the GSP+ status while the ongoing review under the GSP+ trade policy is in progress. Ambassador Skoog engaged with various stakeholders, including government ministers, military leaders, UN representatives, and civil society members during his stay.
The EU’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in fulfilling its human rights obligations was reaffirmed, with encouragement for ongoing efforts and consultations with all relevant parties, including the active civil society within Pakistan.
In conclusion, the recent dialogue between Pakistan and the European Union marks a significant step towards enhancing counter-terrorism cooperation. Both parties reaffirmed their responsibilities in combating terrorism and underscored the importance of collaboration with international partners. Furthermore, the discussions highlighted shared concerns about regional security issues, emphasizing the necessity of addressing the root causes of violent extremism. The engagement also reflects the EU’s ongoing commitment to support Pakistan in improving its human rights framework.
Original Source: www.geo.tv
