DELETE. MERGED WITH OTHER STORY. Pakistan and Croatia advance bilateral ties on trade, diplomacy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Croatia agreed Thursday to expand economic and diplomatic cooperation, with both nations pledging to strengthen partnerships across trade, investment, and security sectors during a high-level visit by Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Croatian foreign minister addressed reporters at a joint press conference Thursday, where they detailed agreements spanning labor mobility to defense cooperation. They also outlined initiatives that reflect the growing convergence between Islamabad and Zagreb on regional and global issues.

Pakistan’s deputy prime minister outlined the country's diplomatic efforts and economic priorities for the coming months as the two nations work to deepen bilateral ties.

Central to the discussions was Pakistan's effort to rejoin the European Union's Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus framework ahead of new regulations set to take effect in January 2027.

The GSP+ program provides developing countries with reduced tariffs on exports to European Union markets, a crucial economic lever for countries seeking to boost manufacturing and trade revenue.

"Pakistan is preparing to rejoin the European Union's Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus framework," Dar said during the joint press conference. The program's revised regulations will govern eligibility and compliance requirements starting in January 2027.

Pakistan previously held GSP+ status, which exempted thousands of Pakistani exports from EU tariffs. The loss of the designation significantly impacted sectors such as textiles, footwear, leather goods, and agricultural products.

Dar briefed the Croatian delegation on Pakistan's diplomatic initiatives on the global stage, including its role at the UN Security Council and efforts to strengthen multilateralism.

He outlined the ongoing situation in Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, “which remains one of the longstanding unresolved international disputes.” The deputy prime minister also brought up the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

He talked about India’s unilateral decision to withdraw from the Indus Waters Treaty and how “a dynamic has been added by India to an already volatile security situation by announcing that it would hold the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance after and during the India-Pakistan war in May 2025.

"We would like to seek the support of our friendly country towards India’s immediate restoration of the Indus Waters Treaty, ending the weaponization of water and upholding the treaty obligations,” he stated.

He also urged the United States and Iran to deescalate, following the exchange of strikes between the two nations. 

“I apprised the delegation of our diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, de-escalation and peaceful settlement in the recent US-Iran conflict, which culminated in the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the two sides” on June 18.

Both nations agreed to hold Bilateral Political Consultations later this year or in early 2027 to deepen diplomatic coordination. The consultations will address trade, investment, labor mobility, and other areas of mutual interest ahead of the GSP+ regulations taking effect.

Croatia joined the European Union in 2013 and maintains influence over trade policy discussions within the bloc. Grlić Radman identified pharmaceuticals, healthcare, defense, and food production as sectors with significant potential for collaboration between the two nations.

Dar said Pakistan and Croatia will hold a business-to-business trade forum to connect their private sectors and explore investment opportunities. He invited Croatian companies to review Pakistan's investment policies and consider expanding into the South Asian market.

Both countries also discussed legal pathways for skilled Pakistani workers seeking employment in the EU while combating human smuggling and irregular migration.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also met with Radman on Thursday, conveying best wishes to Croatian President Zoran Milanović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

PM Sharif extended invitations to the president and the prime minister of Croatia to visit Pakistan on an official visit.