Pakistan and EU officials engaged in the 9th Counter-Terrorism Dialogue to discuss regional challenges, particularly in the Middle East and Afghanistan. This dialogue seeks to enhance security cooperation per the 2019 Strategic Engagement Plan. Both sides condemned terrorism, reaffirmed their collaboration, and explored strategies to counter violent extremism and terrorism finance.
ISLAMABAD: Officials from Pakistan and the European Union (EU) convened for their 9th Counter-Terrorism Dialogue in Brussels, addressing various regional and global challenges, notably the situations in the Middle East and Afghanistan, as reported by the Pakistani foreign office on Thursday. This dialogue is a component of the wider 2019 Strategic Engagement Plan aimed at enhancing security collaboration between the EU and Pakistan, reflecting a collective resolve to confront the evolving threats posed by militancy.
The discussions take place amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly due to Israeli military actions involving multiple regional nations and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. There are also growing concerns in Pakistan regarding the potential resurgence of militant groups in Afghanistan, which could exacerbate security issues within its borders.
Pakistan has consistently urged Israel and the international community to support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and withdraw Israeli troops from Lebanon and Syria. Additionally, Islamabad has expressed concerns about Afghanistan allegedly harboring militant factions, a claim which the Afghan government has denied.
The dialogue underscored the shared commitment of both the EU and Pakistan to oppose terrorism in all its manifestations. It provided a platform for exchanging perspectives on various challenges, including the implications of the security situations in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
Both sides emphasized the necessity of robust collaboration with international entities within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum, which the EU has co-chaired since 2022. The discussions also explored avenues for the exchange of best practices and cooperative strategies concerning violent extremism and terrorism
The Pakistani delegation was led by Abdul Hameed, the director-general for counter-terrorism, while the EU delegation was headed by Maciej Stadejek, the director for security and defense policy at the European External Action Service. The meeting focused on shared objectives such as preventing violent extremism, addressing the movement of foreign fighters, and combating terrorism financing.
In summary, the 9th Counter-Terrorism Dialogue between Pakistan and the EU marks a significant step in addressing mutual security challenges. With a focus on the situations in the Middle East and Afghanistan, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism collaboratively. The dialogue also set the stage for enhanced cooperation in various counter-terrorism strategies and practices, reflecting a unified approach toward global security issues.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
