Analysis of EU development Cooperation

Agenda towards Pakistan 1990 to date

European cooperation towards Pakistan has a long lasting ang one of the successful tenures in

terms of economic, social ang political cooperation to achieve a sustainable and long lasting ever

growing bilateral growth, where both, Pakistan and entire region of EU, gets benefit out of such

policies.

This partnership between the European Union and Pakistan has progressed since 1962 in attempt

with the European integration process. In order to further strengthen EU-Pakistan relations, the

two sides in 2012 adopted a five years Engagement Plan with the common goal of building a

strategic partnership for peace and development rooted in shared values, principles and

commitments. To give it a ever growing turn both the sides are showing a serious attention towards

achieving pursuit of inclusive and continuous growth; determined to lay the foundations of an ever

closer union among the peoples of Pakistan and Europe, resolved to ensure the economical and

social progress of the both giant groups by common action to eliminate barriers which deteriorate

the image of both the sides and affirming the essential objective of their efforts; the constant

improvements of the living and working condition of their people while recognizing that; the

removal of existing obstacles calls for concerted action in order to guarantee steady expansion ,

balanced trade and long lasting fairness in competition; in terms of economic growth and safety

for people of both the sides.

The cooperation has been indulged in activities which could; strengthen the unity of their

economies while ensuring their harmonious development by reducing the differences existing

between the various regions and the backwardness of less-favored regions.

The plans and policies; formed as a result of such cooperation, are desired to contribute by means

of a common commercial policy, to the progressive abolition of restrictions on international trade;

it has raised as one of the crucial components behind the continuous growth of nations; existing

on universe.

Such Engagement Plan aims at facilitating cooperation on a wide range of issues, including

democracy, human rights, rule of law, socio-economic cooperation, energy, counter terrorism and

migration. In order to implement the plan a wide range of political dialogues are carried out at all

levels from ad-hoc summits between the heads of state and government to sectoral dialogues at

technical level between experts in different fields. Such engagement plan also tries to ensure a

balance between concerns of both sides; that is countering terrorism and achieve a continuous

economic growth for Pakistan and for EU; to stand out among developed parts of the world. Hence,

today the EU and Pakistan are not only partners in trade GSP+ but also important political and

development partners. Both the partners, Pakistan and European Union, are showing their serious

concern in particular in areas such as access to justice, freedom of religion or belief and the rights

of women and girls, and providing education and economic opportunities for all people living the

both regions. (EU-Pakistan Political Relations, n.d.).

The fast-going world, steeping towards a tough economic competition requires a nation to work

on it’s economic success which can mainly be positively impacted by increasing exports: In this

regard; the EU is one of Pakistan's largest trading partners and the biggest market for Pakistani

exports. Overall EU-Pakistan trade reached €10.49 billion in 2015, up by 20.1% from 2013.
Pakistan's exports to the EU are heavily dependent on textile and clothing products, which

account for 76% of all exports.

The main imports from the EU are machinery and appliances (25.5%), followed by transport

equipment (16.5%), and chemicals & pharmaceuticals (15.5%). (Pakistan and the EU, 2016).

Such bilateral cooperation also ensures the humanitarian aid; since 2009, the EU has provided

Pakistan with €537 million of humanitarian aid, including an allocation of €21.5 million for

2016. Relief items have also been channeled to flood victims.

In 2016, the EU continued to support people affected by conflict and those suffering from

malnutrition and food insecurity, as well as Afghan refugees in the country. It offers:

 food assistance,

 access to safe drinking water,

 sanitation facilities,

 shelter,

 health-care, and

 protection to conflict-displaced families. (Pakistan and EU, 2016)

Bibliography
EU-Pakistan Political Relations. (n.d.). Retrieved from EU IN PAKISTAN:
https://europeanunion.pk/?page_id=187

Pakistan and EU. (2016, 05 11). Retrieved from Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan:
https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/pakistan_en/1327/Pakistan%20and%20the%20EU

Pakistan and the EU. (2016, 11 5). Retrieved from Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan:
https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/pakistan_en/1327/Pakistan%20and%20the%20EU