EC President Ursula von der Leyen Meets PM Shehbaz Sharif at 81st UNGA

New York, 23 September 2026.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting focused on the future of EU-Pakistan relations, trade, regional security, and diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran.

The meeting also brought together European Council President António Costa and was presented by both sides as part of efforts to strengthen high-level engagement between the European Union and Pakistan.

Following the meeting, von der Leyen said the EU “values its partnership with Pakistan”, and thanked Sharif for Pakistan’s diplomatic initiative concerning the conflict between the United States and Iran. According to von der Leyen, Pakistan is playing an important role in supporting "de-escalation, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts."

GSP+ remains central to Pakistan-EU relations

Economic cooperation was a key topic, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighting the importance of GSP+ for Pakistan’s trade, employment and economic growth. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the framework and to strengthening its broader partnership with the EU.

The two sides also discussed regional and global developments, stressing the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, international law and peaceful conflict resolution.

Trade, migration and human rights

The meeting also addressed trade, migration and human rights. GSP+ remains important to Pakistan’s access to the European market, while the EU links the framework to commitments on human rights, labour rights, environmental protection and good governance.

Von der Leyen said the two sides discussed strengthening the partnership, including trade and illegal migration. They also exchanged views on regional developments, highlighting diplomacy, international law and peaceful conflict resolution.

Shehbaz Sharif described the talks as productive and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the EU.

The meeting in New York reflects Pakistan and the European Union's broader effort to maintain political dialogue while addressing economic interests and regional crises. For the EU, Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement over the US-Iran conflict has added a security and foreign-policy dimension to an already significant relationship centred on trade, development and political cooperation.