Brussels, (Unib Rashid) __ Pakistan and the European Union have signed an agreement on the division of Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs), marking a significant step toward ensuring continuity and legal clarity in bilateral trade arrangements following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU.

The signing ceremony was held today at the European Commission, where the agreement was formally signed by Deputy Director-General for Agriculture Pierre Bascou on behalf of the European Union, and by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg, Rahim Hayat Qureshi, representing Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the EU described the agreement as a reflection of the strong spirit of cooperation, mutual trust, and technical engagement that underpin Pakistan–EU relations. He emphasized that the agreement not only demonstrates the commitment of both sides to multilateralism but also sends a clear signal of their shared resolve to uphold a strong, rules-based international trading system.

The Ambassador highlighted the close collaboration between Pakistan and the European Union across bilateral and multilateral forums, including the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), investment facilitation for development initiatives, trade cooperation, and gender protection measures.

It was also noted that the European Union remains Pakistan’s largest export destination, with the GSP+ scheme continuing to play a vital role in supporting Pakistan’s sustainable economic growth. According to official sources, the TRQ agreement further strengthens the technical foundations of this framework through clearly defined obligations, reporting mechanisms, and verification arrangements.