PR No. 193 Telephone call between the Prime Minister and the President of the EU Co

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from H.E. Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, this afternoon.

During their warm and cordial conversation, the two leaders discussed the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East as well as exchanging views on Pakistan-EU relations.

Both leaders expressed their deep concern over the ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf countries, and their impact on the global economy. They stressed upon the need to resolve the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy. The Prime Minister also shared with the EU Council President, the latest developments in Pakistan's mediation efforts to de-escalate the Middle East crisis.

The EU Council President endorsed Pakistan's peace efforts while reaffirming that the EU supported all diplomatic efforts, aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region.

While highlighting that Pakistan attached high significance to its relations with the EU, the Prime Minister recalled that his scheduled visit to Brussels had to be postponed last month. The EU Council President said that he looked forward to welcoming the Prime Minister's in Brussels on mutually convenient dates.

Highlighting the importance of GSP Plus, the Prime Minister said that he looked forward to inaugurating the first ever Pakistan-EU Business Forum in Islamabad on April 28-29, 2026. He also conveyed his good wishes for H.E. Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.