Political relations

The EU and Pakistan are important political partners.

The Delegation represents the EU on a range of issues including: development cooperation,
trade, humanitarian assistance, security and counter terrorism, energy, environment, health,
transport, migration and climate change.
Political and security relations are getting stronger, something which is underscored by
the EU-Pakistan Five -year Engagement Plan.
A Pakistan-EU Joint Commission meets annually to review the plans progress.

Economic relations
The EU supports Pakistans integration into the global economy. This is being achieved
by:
furthering bilateral trade,
promoting direct investment,
supporting institution building, and
Defending human rights, including the implementation of international labor standards.
The EU also supports the Pakistan Governments on-going economic reform agenda in
consultation with the international financial institutions.
In addition, the EU is planning to expand its dialogue and cooperation with Pakistan in
relation to energy issues.

Trade relations
The EU is one of Pakistan's largest trading partners and the biggest market for Pakistani
exports. Overall EU-Pakistan trade reached 10.49 billion in 2015, up by 20.1% from
2013.
Pakistan's exports to the EU are heavily dependent on textile and clothing products,
which account for 76% of all exports.
The main imports from the EU are machinery and appliances (25.5%), followed by
transport equipment (16.5%), and chemicals & pharmaceuticals (15.5%).
 In May 2007 the EU and Pakistan set up a Sub-Group on Trade under the Pakistan-EU
Joint Commission.
Since January 2014, Pakistan has benefitted from the EUs Generalized System of
Preferences (GSP), which has boosted Pakistan's exports to the EU.

Technical and financial cooperation

Development cooperation

Along with its member countries, the EU provides Pakistan with about 700 million per
year for development and humanitarian assistance.
Among other issues, the EU supports Pakistan in its efforts to tackle poverty, increase
literacy, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat major diseases, and
ensure environmental sustainability.

Science and technology

The EU and Pakistan are committed to cooperating in science and technology.

Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU research and innovation programme ever, with nearly
80 billion of funding available over seven years (2014 to 2020).
The EU Delegation has concluded a partnership with the Pakistan Science Foundation
(PSF) to promote the Horizon 2020 programme in Pakistan.

Support for specific issues

A Multi Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) details the EU cooperation priorities with the
Pakistan for the years 2014-2020.
The assistance provided through the EU Delegation focuses on delivering long-term
support for Rural Development, Education and Governance. (See entries below for more
details).
Rural development
Through the MIP, the EU is contributing more than 340 million to rural development in
Pakistan.
The funding programme focuses on boosting economic growth and livelihoods in some
of Pakistans poorest areas.
Efforts will therefore be made to:

Widen access to basic public services,

Reduce social and economic inequality,
Increase income-generating activities, and
Contribute to building peace and stability in areas affected by unrest.

Education and training

The MIP provides 210 million to improve Pakistans education and training systems.

Specific objectives include:

Improving access to and completion of basic and secondary education for children,
while reducing gender and regional differences in provision.
Improving the quality of education by introducing better teaching and materials;
assessment systems and school management practices will also be upgraded.
Improving the productivity and employability of workers by introducing relevant
technical and vocational training programmes.

Governance and human rights

About 97 million has been allocated through the MIP to bolster democracy in Pakistan.

Specific objectives are to:

Strengthen democratic institutions and electoral processes fighting corruption,

improving legislation and greater scrutiny of government.
Support the decentralization of public administrations improving the management of
public finances and service delivery.
 Improve security and the rule of law protecting peoples human rights, making law
enforcement, legal and judicial systems more accountable.

Humanitarian aid
Since 2009, the EU has provided Pakistan with 537 million of humanitarian aid, including an
allocation of 21.5 million for 2016. Relief items have also been channeled to flood victims.

In 2016, the EU continued to support people affected by conflict and those suffering from
malnutrition and food insecurity, as well as Afghan refugees in the country. It offers:

food assistance,
access to safe drinking water,
sanitation facilities,
shelter,
health-care, and
protection to conflict-displaced families.