GSP Plus Extension
Hungary has reaffirmed its support for Pakistan’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status and pledged to deepen economic and diplomatic ties with Islamabad.
The commitment was made during a high-level meeting held in Islamabad on Wednesday between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, and Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, according to a report by Radio Pakistan.
During a joint press conference following their talks, both ministers expressed a strong desire to enhance bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. Dar emphasized the “vast potential” that exists in areas such as agriculture, energy, healthcare, information technology, and industrial manufacturing.
He described Hungary as a “steadfast and trusted friend,” highlighting the shared values and aspirations for peace, security, and development that form the foundation of Pakistan-Hungary relations.
Dar praised Hungary’s contributions to Pakistan’s development efforts and expressed optimism about the continued strengthening of ties. He also briefed his Hungarian counterpart on key regional issues, including Pakistan’s longstanding stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which Islamabad maintains should be resolved in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Additionally, Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to a two-state solution in the Middle East and its support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
Foreign Minister Szijjártó voiced Hungary’s backing for the extension of Pakistan’s GSP+ trade privileges beyond 2027, noting it as a shared interest for both Pakistan and the European Union. He underscored Hungary’s commitment to increasing economic engagement with Pakistan and pointed out the positive trajectory of bilateral trade.
Highlighting previous successful collaborations, Szijjártó mentioned Hungarian-led projects in food security and water management in Pakistan. He also announced the provision of 400 scholarships for Pakistani students each year and revealed that he was accompanied by a 17-member Hungarian business delegation, which is exploring opportunities in education, agriculture, medical sciences, energy, and water management.
On matters of regional security, the Hungarian foreign minister lauded Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts, particularly those targeting extremist elements operating from Afghanistan. He acknowledged these efforts as contributing significantly to regional and even European security.
In a step to further ease diplomatic engagement, both nations signed an agreement granting mutual visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic passports. Additionally, two memorandums of understanding were signed to boost cooperation in cultural and archaeological fields, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations between the two countries.
