ISLAMABAD, 05 November 2021, (TON): The European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with South Asia, which covers relations with Pakistan, and other 5 countries in the region (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka), paid an official visit to Islamabad on 3rd and 4th November 2021, on the occasion of the 12th inter-parliamentary meeting between the European Parliament and the National Assembly of Pakistan.

The European delegation was comprised of the Chair Mr Nicola PROCACCINI (Italy, ECR), Ms Heidi HAUTALA (Finland, Greens, Vice-President of the European Parliament), Mr Luis GARICANO (Spain, Renew) and Mr Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ (Czechia, EPP).

The last official visit (Islamabad and Karachi) took place in November 2018.

The purpose of this visit is to provide Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and Members of both Chambers of the Parliament of Pakistan the opportunity to review together the state of relations between the European Union and Pakistan.

The signature of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan in 2019 is a further milestone in relations between the EU and Pakistan, and as bilateral relations grow, it is essential that Parliamentarians on both sides assess progress and provide parliamentary scrutiny and guidance.