Islamabad: The outgoing Head of the European Union Delegation to Pakistan, Dr. Riina Kionka, paid a farewell visit to President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr. During the meeting, President Zardari emphasized the strong ties between Pakistan and the European Union, noting that this relationship plays a crucial role in regional stability and global security.

President Zardari highlighted the significance of the European Union as one of Pakistan’s largest trade and investment partners. He pointed out the potential for further expanding development cooperation, especially considering Pakistan’s youthful population and its prospects for industrial growth.

The President expressed optimism about continuing to benefit from European expertise through initiatives like Erasmus Mundus and Horizon Europe. He reiterated Pakistan’s dedication to implementing the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan, which aims to strengthen collaboration in areas such as trade, development, climate, migration, and regional peace.

President Zardari extended his congratulations to Dr. Kionka on the successful completion of her tenure and acknowledged her valuable contributions to enhancing Pakistan-EU relations. He wished her success in her future endeavors.