EU high representative to arrive in Pakistan today

ISLAMABAD: European Union’s Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini will arrive in Islamabad on Monday (today) to hold talks with Pakistani officials on mutual ties, trade and regional security.

Well informed sources said the EU high representative will call on Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi during her visit of Islamabad. She will also hold strategic dialogue with the foreign minister.

Earlier, Ms Mogherini had spoken to FM Qureshi by phone after tensions between Pakistan and Indian spiked in the aftermath of the Pulwama incident. She has asked for urgent de-escalation of the situation.

On March 21, the fifth round of Pakistan-EU Political Dialogue was co-chaired in Brussels by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service Jean-Christophe Belliard.

As per a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two sides held detailed exchange of views on regional peace and security, various facets of bilateral relations with a particular focus on trade and investment.

The foreign secretary briefed the EU side on the recent volatile situation in South Asia notably the Indian aggression against Pakistan, underscoring that it was gross violation of the international law and Pakistan had acted in self-defence with restraint.