Pakistan and the European Union have agreed to strengthen cooperation on border security, legal migration and border management. The agreement followed talks between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and European Commissioner Magnus Brunner in Islamabad on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Brunner praised Pakistan’s efforts to reduce illegal migration to Europe. He noted that the country had achieved a 64 per cent decline through its enforcement measures. He also commended the Federal Investigation Agency for its professional work despite limited resources.
Naqvi said Pakistan maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal migration. He described the issue as a serious global challenge and said the government aimed to eliminate it completely. The minister also stressed the importance of expanding legal migration opportunities.
Both sides discussed creating more opportunities for skilled Pakistani workers to migrate legally to European countries. They also agreed to improve coordination between institutions and strengthen cooperation on immigration procedures. The discussions focused on supporting safe and regulated migration pathways.
Pakistan and the EU also agreed to work together under the European Union’s Eastern Corridor Initiative. The initiative aims to address illegal migration through stronger cooperation. Both sides further discussed measures to improve the operational capacity of the Pakistan Coast Guards.
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Brunner assured Pakistan of the EU’s full possible cooperation in these efforts. Senior officials from Pakistan’s interior ministry, the FIA, the Federal Constabulary and other relevant departments attended the meeting. Representatives responsible for passports, cybercrime investigations and Islamabad’s administration were also present.
The latest agreement follows earlier efforts to expand legal migration routes and combat human smuggling. In February, Pakistan reached an understanding with Italy, Spain and Greece on promoting legal pathways. Those countries supported a proposal to make lawful migration more accessible while addressing irregular movement and trafficking. Pakistan and the EU will continue working on border management, institutional coordination and opportunities for skilled workers.