ISLAMABAD, (DNA) – Pakistan and the European Union (EU) finalised a strategic engagement plan on Monday.

Aimed at promoting durable economic development, the understanding came at the strategic dialogue held at the Foreign Office in Islamabad.

The engagement plan lays particular emphasis on partnerships in the fields of trade, investment and energy.

The visiting delegation was led by EU Representative for Foreign Relations and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, while Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi led Pakistan’s negotiating team.

“Today, I would like to announce that Pakistan and the EU have agreed on a new strategic engagement plan. This immense achievement comes after some tedious negotiations and, once further due process is completed, I will be heading Brussels to sign the agreement,” FM Qureshi announced at a joint press conference with Mogherini.

The EU foreign policy chief hailed Pakistan’s progress towards democratic stability and the reforms agenda of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government.

“We had very fruitful negotiations on a variety of topics. Our cooperation is very important for both parties, as evident by the fact that Pakistan-EU trade has doubled over recent years thanks to the preferential access agreement,” said Mogherini.

FM Qureshi said Pakistan would continue to fulfil its responsibilities for a peaceful resolution of the Afghan conflict and the stability of the entire region.

The EU foreign policy chief said Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process was highly valuable and called for a continuation of the efforts till a sustainable agreement was reached.

Qureshi also apprised the EU delegation about New Delhi’s grave human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir, while also raising the issue of growing Islamophobia.