According to The Express Tribune, the Foreign Office said Pakistan and the European Union agreed on Thursday to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation during the 10th round of their bilateral counterterrorism dialogue in Islamabad. The talks focused on preventing violent extremism, countering terrorist financing and tackling online radicalisation.
Who took part
According to an FO statement on X, Director General Counterterrorism Dr Fareha Bugti led the Pakistani delegation, while Anna Strzaska, the European External Action Service's Special Envoy for Counterterrorism, headed the EU side.
EU condemns attacks in Pakistan
The EU delegation condemned recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, expressed solidarity with the victims and acknowledged Islamabad's counterterrorism efforts. Both sides voiced concern over the security implications of the situation in Afghanistan.
From the UN to digital platforms
The two sides agreed to coordinate more closely at multilateral forums, including the United Nations. They also discussed emerging threats such as terrorist groups' exploitation of cyberspace, information and energy resources, and shared practices on countering radicalisation through digital platforms.
The FO said both sides identified priority areas for future cooperation and committed to regular engagement. The next round will be held in Brussels next year.