GSP Plus proves an affirmative success since 2014: Dastgir
ISLAMABAD, (MILLAT ONLINE):“GSP
Plus has proved an affirmative success since coming into force in January 2014.
Pakistan’s exports to the EU have risen 39% while EU’s exports to Pakistan have
also risen 39%. It is a mutually beneficial partnership,” Minister for Defence
and Convener of EU Parliament Friendship Group Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan
said on Saturday.
The
minister stated made these keynote remarks during a meeting of the South Asia
Delegation in the European Parliament, Brussels, said a message received here.
The
minister along with a delegation of parliamentarians was on a four-day visit to
Brussels. The delegation of Parliamentarians included former Speaker National
Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Chairman National Assembly Commerce Committee Siraj
Khan and Chairman Senate Commerce Committee, Shibli Faraz.
He
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.
General
Mikhail Kostarakos, the Permanent Chairman of EU Military Committee, called on
Minister for Defence to discuss creating a permanent Pak-EU dialogue on
military and strategic issues. 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.