ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday expressed his desire to further strengthen bilateral ties between Pakistan and the European Union (EU) in diverse sectors, his office said. 

The statement was issued after a meeting of an EU delegation, led by Charge d’ Affaires Thomas Seiler, with PM Sharif in Islamabad. The EU charge d’ affaires congratulated PM Sharif on assuming the office and conveyed best wishes of the European Council president and the president of the EU Commission. 

The development comes over a month after representatives of European countries in Islamabad wrote a letter to the government of former prime minister Imran Khan, asking it to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  

The letter drew a sharp rebuked from Khan, who called it against all diplomatic protocols and questioned if European diplomats could write a similar letter to India. Khan's response appeared to have resulted in some friction between the two sides. 

“The prime minister (Sharif) highlighted the strong economic, trade and investment ties between Pakistan and EU, and expressed his desire for further strengthening this multi-faceted relationship in diverse sectors, including climate change and legal migration,” PM Sharif's office said in a statement. 

The prime minister underscored the importance of regular high-level exchanges between the two sides to deepen bilateral collaboration and enhance mutual cooperation on issues of peace and stability in the regional and international context. 

“The charge d’affaires affirmed EU’s commitment to further deepening of bilateral cooperation with Pakistan,” the statement read. 

Pakistan and the EU are celebrating the 60th anniversary their diplomatic relations this year. Events marking this milestone are envisaged to be held both in Islamabad and Brussels. 

The EU has a special trade arrangement with Pakistan, which makes it easier for Pakistani businesses to export their products to the region for little or no duty.