EU backs Pakistan’s call for Afghan action against TTP
“EU Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis endorsed Pakistan’s stance that the Taliban must stop TTP activity from Afghan soil while urging continued dialogue.”
Key points
- EU Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis endorsed Pakistan’s stance that the Taliban must stop TTP activity from Afghan soil while urging continued dialogue.
- He flagged an upcoming Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue and reiterated Brussels’ focus on rights benchmarks tied to trade preferences.
The European Union’s ambassador to Pakistan, Raimundas Karoblis, termed Islamabad’s demand that the Afghan Taliban prevent the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan from operating on Afghan soil as “legitimate,” citing the security threat posed by cross-border militancy.
In an interview with The News, the envoy said Brussels condemns terrorism in all forms but also urged Pakistan to keep diplomatic channels open, noting Turkey’s mediation efforts. He said a Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue is expected in the coming weeks, to be led by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, and will cover Afghanistan, regional security, trade, migration and counterterrorism.
Karoblis acknowledged concerns raised about Pakistan’s recent elections and legal changes but said the EU recognises the current parliament while continuing to monitor human rights obligations relevant to GSP+ trade preferences. He highlighted enforced disappearances as a priority area for assessment in upcoming reviews.
The ambassador added that the EU and its member states mobilised significant support following Pakistan’s 2022 floods and that climate adaptation will remain a cooperation focus under the Global Gateway strategy.
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