EU closely monitoring Pakistan's human rights record for GSP+ trade status, Romanian envoy says
Romania's ambassador Dan Stoenescu says the European Union is closely monitoring Pakistan's human rights performance under the GSP+ scheme and that more progress is needed to keep the preferential trade access.
Romania and the European Union are closely watching Pakistan's human rights record and its progress on commitments made under the GSP+ trade scheme, Romanian Ambassador Dan Stoenescu said at a media briefing at the National Press Club in Islamabad on Thursday.
Mr Stoenescu said Pakistan had taken some positive steps, but that further work was required. "Although we recognise the positive steps that have been made by Pakistan, more needs to be done," he said, adding that an EU monitoring mission was closely examining the country's performance and that Brussels would make the final assessment of compliance.
The GSP+ arrangement gives Pakistani exports preferential access to the European market, which is Pakistan's largest export destination. In return, Islamabad must implement international conventions covering human rights, labour rights, environmental protection and good governance, and the monitoring process measures performance against those commitments. Continued access beyond January 2027 is under discussion.
The ambassador also highlighted growing bilateral ties with Romania, noting that trade currently stands at around $156 million - a figure he said did not reflect the two economies' potential - and pointing to a memorandum signed in March 2026 between the Port of Constanta and Karachi Port Trust to strengthen maritime connectivity. A delegation from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry is due to visit Romania in December.
He said Romania was advancing political dialogue with Pakistan both bilaterally and through the EU, with official delegation visits planned for early 2027, and appreciated Pakistan's contribution to international security through United Nations peacekeeping operations.
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