Pakistan Pushes Back Against EU GSP+ Report, Says Key Reforms Were Overlooked | ChatZyr
By Editorial Desk | Team ChatZyr
Pakistan has pushed back against the European Union's latest GSP+ compliance assessment, arguing that the report fails to recognise years of legislative reforms while reaffirming its commitment to maintaining preferential trade access with the bloc.
Speaking during the Foreign Office's weekly press briefing on Thursday, spokesperson Tahir Andrabi welcomed the European Commission's acknowledgement of Pakistan's legislative progress and continued compliance with the 27 international conventions required under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) framework.
However, Andrabi expressed disappointment with the report's overall assessment, saying it did not present a balanced picture of Pakistan's performance.
"The report understates the breadth of reforms undertaken since Pakistan joined GSP+ in 2014 and places disproportionate emphasis on slower progress in a few areas," he said.
The European Commission's assessment, covering the 2023-2025 monitoring period, stated that Pakistan had "regressed in a number of areas while positive change was limited," while acknowledging progress in certain legislative reforms.
Despite the criticism, Andrabi stressed that GSP+ remains a cornerstone of Pakistan's economic partnership with the European Union, supporting exports, employment, women's economic participation, poverty reduction and broader economic development. He described the arrangement as mutually beneficial for both sides.
The European Union is Pakistan's largest export market, making continued access to GSP+ trade preferences particularly important for the country's export-oriented industries, especially the textile sector.
Reaffirming Islamabad's commitment, Andrabi said Pakistan would continue engaging constructively with the European Commission and other EU institutions while ensuring the effective implementation of the international conventions that underpin the GSP+ framework.
He added that Pakistan's partnership with the European Union extends beyond trade to include cooperation in development, migration, counterterrorism, regional stability, climate resilience, connectivity and several other strategic areas.
The outcome of continued engagement between Pakistan and the European Commission will be closely watched by exporters and businesses, as GSP+ remains a key pillar of Pakistan's trade relationship with the European Union and a significant driver of economic growth.
Published on ChatZyr.net
Written By Editorial Desk | Team ChatZyr
Disclaimer: This report is based on information obtained from credible and publicly available sources at the time of publication. Details may evolve as further official confirmations and assessments emerge.
