Pakistan and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism during their ninth Counter-Terrorism Dialogue held in Brussels on February 20, 2025. The meeting, part of the broader security cooperation outlined in the 2019 Strategic Engagement Plan, saw both sides condemn terrorism in all its forms.
Discussions covered a wide range of issues, focusing on regional and global security challenges. The delegations specifically addressed the security implications of the situation in Afghanistan and other volatile regions, such as the Middle East. Both sides emphasized the importance of robust collaboration with international partners within multilateral frameworks, including the United Nations and the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum, which the EU has co-chaired since 2022.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the dialogue also explored avenues for enhanced practical cooperation. This includes sharing best practices and coordinating efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism, disrupt the recruitment and movement of foreign fighters, combat online and offline radicalization, and tackle terrorism financing. These areas were identified as crucial in addressing the evolving challenges posed by terrorism.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Abdul Hameed, Director General for Counter Terrorism at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the EU delegation was headed by Maciej Stadejek, Director for Security and Defence Policy at the European External Action Service.
The meeting concluded with a renewed pledge from both sides to continue their strong partnership in the fight against terrorism.
The meeting follows similar engagements with UK and Turkiye in recent days.