Dar wraps up high-level EU engagements | The Express Tribune

BRUSSELS:

Pakistan and Hungary on Thursday signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to extend and expand educational cooperation under the Stipendium Hungaricum Programme for 2026–2028, marking a major boost for academic opportunities available to Pakistani students.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó signed the agreement, which formalises continued cooperation between the two governments in providing scholarships across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.

The Stipendium Hungaricum Programme — introduced for Pakistan in 2015 — has grown into a cornerstone of bilateral educational ties. The annual quota, initially set at 80 scholarships, rose to 200 in 2017 and reached 400 by 2023, the highest allocation Hungary offers to any partner country.

The renewed 2026–28 framework is expected to create even more avenues for Pakistani students while contributing to long-term socio-economic development through access to international education.

Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and Pakistan’s Ambassador to the EU, Belgium, and Luxembourg, Rahim Hayat Qureshi, were present at the ceremony.

During his Brussels visit, Dar also signed a separate MoU with the foreign minister of Slovenia.

The agreement establishes a structured mechanism for bilateral consultations, enabling both countries to review all aspects of their relationship, exchange updates on existing agreements, and discuss regional and global issues of shared concern. The framework is expected to strengthen political dialogue and deepen Pakistan–Slovenia ties.

Dar’s engagements continued with a meeting with EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, where both sides appreciated progress made under the Pakistan–EU Migration Mobility Dialogue.

They emphasised the importance of facilitating legal movement of skilled labour to Europe and agreed to activate pathways under the “Pakistan–EU Talent Partnership Roadmap” while discouraging irregular migration. Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and Ambassador Rahim Hayat Qureshi also attended the meeting.

At NATO Headquarters, Dar was welcomed by Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The two held detailed discussions on regional and global security, the need to uphold international law, and Pakistan’s commitment to promoting peace and stability in South Asia. They also explored avenues for enhancing cooperation between Pakistan and NATO.

Later, Dar met EU Commissioner Joseph Schala to discuss strengthening collaboration under the Global Gateway initiative, improving digital connectivity, supporting green transition efforts, and expanding sustainable development partnerships.

Throughout these engagements, Pakistan underscored its commitment to deepening strategic, educational, and economic ties across Europe.