{
  "id": 8992615,
  "title": "Dar meets EU foreign policy chief, stresses importance of GSP+ for Pakistan's trade ties with the bloc",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/dar-meets-eu-foreign-policy-chief-stresses-importance-of-gsp-for-8992615",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-21T19:50:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn Business",
    "slug": "dawn-business",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2031647/dar-meets-eu-foreign-policy-chief-stresses-importance-of-gsp-for-pakistans-trade-ties-with-the-bloc"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas on Monday, emphasizing the importance of the GSP+ scheme for Pakistan's trade relations with the European Union. The meeting occurred during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, which is set to take place from September 21-25. Dar highlighted Pakistan's commitment to its partnership with the EU, particularly in trade and economic cooperation. The two sides also discussed regional and global developments, with Dar appreciating the EU's constructive engagement during recent regional events and its recognition of Pakistan's efforts toward de-escalation and dialogue. He called for a return to dialogue and diplomacy and urged all parties to fully implement the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed between the US and Iran earlier this year. The EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) framework is set to expire at the end of this year, and Pakistan must seek inclusion in the successor regime, which will have more stringent requirements. The European Commission assessment for 2023-25, released in July, found that Pakistan faced compliance issues, regressed in several areas, and made limited progress, with concerns over enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, freedom of expression, and minority rights. Despite these challenges, Pakistan remains the EU's largest export destination, accounting for 28% of its total exports, with textiles and clothing comprising 70-76% of Pakistani exports to the European market.",
  "summary": "Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas in New York to discuss the significance of GSP+ for Pakistan's trade relations with the European Union. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and highlighted Pakistan's importance in the EU's trade and economic cooperation. The two sides also discussed regional and global developments, with Dar appreciating the EU's constructive engagement with Pakistan during recent regional developments.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "Dar meets EU foreign policy chief, stresses importance of GSP+ for Pakistan's trade ties with the bloc",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/dar-meets-eu-foreign-policy-chief-stresses-importance-of-gsp-for",
        "published": "2026-09-21T18:24:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Dar stresses importance of GSP+ for trade relations with EU",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/dar-stresses-importance-of-gsp-for-trade-relations-with-eu",
        "published": "2026-09-21T23:07:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}