EU welcomes progress and ongoing efforts of Pakistan on FATF action plans

The European Union (EU) has welcomed the progress made by Pakistan to implement the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Action Plans and also welcomed the “ongoing efforts to address the remaining FATF actions”.

According to media reports, a joint communiqué issued on Wednesday at the conclusion of sixth round of the European Union-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue mentioned that the EU also lauded adoption of the ‘Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill’ by the parliament, that later became an Act with presidential approval.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of EU Josep Borrell in Brussels on Tuesday.

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During the meeting, Pakistan EU have reviewed the ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and the EU based on the Strategic Engagement Plan. Both sides agreed to further enhance EU-Pakistan mutual engagement, especially on security and regional cooperation.

They agreed to hold the first meeting of the new EU-Pakistan Security Dialogue with sub-groups on Non-proliferation and Disarmament, and Counter-terrorism in 2022.

In his remarks, FM Qureshi has reiterated Pakistan’s deep concerns about human rights violations by India in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and efforts to change the demography of the disputed territory in violation of UNSC resolutions.

On the occasion, Josep Borrell underscored that the EU is following the human rights situation in IIOJ&K closely and restated the need for restraint, de-escalation of tensions and resolution of the dispute through dialogue and constructive political and diplomatic engagement.