Officials from Pakistan and the European Union (EU) convened for their 9th Counter-Terrorism Dialogue in Brussels, where they addressed both regional and global challenges, including the situations in the Middle East and Afghanistan, as reported by the Pakistani foreign office on Thursday.

This dialogue is part of the broader Strategic Engagement Plan established in 2019 between the EU and Pakistan, aimed at strengthening collaboration on security issues and regional cooperation. It underscores a mutual commitment to tackle the evolving threats posed by militancy.

This meeting occurs against the backdrop of ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, particularly due to Israeli military actions affecting several regional nations, including the conflict in Gaza. There are also concerns among countries like Pakistan regarding the potential resurgence of militant groups in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has consistently urged Israel and the international community to implement a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and withdraw Israeli forces from Lebanon and Syria. Additionally, Islamabad has accused Afghanistan of harboring militant groups, a claim that Kabul has denied amid a recent increase in militancy in Pakistan’s western regions.

According to a statement from the Pakistani foreign office, “The European Union and Pakistan condemned terrorism in all its forms and reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to combat it. The Dialogue facilitated discussions on regional and global challenges, particularly the security ramifications of the situations in Afghanistan and the Middle East.”

Both parties emphasized the necessity of robust cooperation with international partners within multilateral frameworks, including the United Nations and the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum, which the EU has co-chaired since 2022.

Abdul Hameed, the director-general for counter-terrorism at the Pakistani foreign ministry, represented Pakistan, while the European Union delegation was led by Maciej Stadejek, the director for security and defense policy at the European External Action Service.

The foreign office stated that discussions between the European Union and Pakistan encompassed the sharing of best practices and potential areas for collaboration. The focus was on joint efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism, manage the recruitment and movement of foreign fighters, address both offline and online radicalization, combat terrorism financing, and tackle other pertinent issues related to the increasing challenges of terrorism.