The inaugural high-level EU-Pakistan Forum, initially scheduled for May 14-15, 2025, has been postponed due to the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan. Â
The European Union (EU) delegation to Pakistan confirmed the delay, citing the ongoing tensions between the two countries. The forum was to be held in collaboration with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
The EU-Pakistan Forum was set to focus on strengthening trade and investment ties between the EU and Pakistan. Key discussions were expected to center around the EU’s trade policies, including the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) and the Global Gateway strategy, which is one of the EU’s largest investment initiatives outside its borders.Â
The strategy is aimed at leveraging up to EUR 300 billion in investments globally between 2021 and 2027.
The SIFC had prepared a strategy for the forum, hoping to enhance economic relations between Pakistan and European nations. A series of meetings were held at the Prime Minister’s Office to discuss the forum’s agenda and its potential impact on Pakistan’s economic growth and investment opportunities with the EU.
One of the central topics for discussion was the Global Gateway Initiative and the European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD+), focusing on the prospect of EU investments in infrastructure projects in Pakistan. These investments were expected to bring substantial funding and technical expertise, with the potential to transform several sectors of the Pakistani economy.
The forum was also expected to facilitate high-level dialogues with key stakeholders from Pakistan’s private sector, as well as EU business representatives eager to expand trade and investment in Pakistan. A select group of about 15 EU business leaders was to engage in a closed-door session to discuss the challenges faced by their companies operating in Pakistan.
