BRUSSELS: Pakistan and the European Union (EU) welcomed the strengthening of relations between the two sides and agreed to elevate their partnership even further, according to a press release. They agreed on this during the third session of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue in Brussels on Tuesday between Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and high representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, who is also vice president of the European Commission. The two sides agreed to work on replacing the five-year engagement plan, adopted in 2012, with an EU-Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan. Every effort would be made to finalise the new engagement plan by the middle of 2017, for approval by the next EU-Pakistan summit. Both the sides also discussed the migration and refugees issues, the press release said. The Pakistan side underlined the need for addressing the root causes of migration and taking an integrated approach encompassing different aspects of migration, it added. The EU acknowledged the challenges faced by Pakistan in hosting over three million refugees and is ready to consider providing additional support, including for their repatriation to Afghanistan safely. They agreed to further strengthen cooperation on migration issues, including irregular migration, and reaffirmed their commitment to the continued implementation of the EU-Pakistan Readmission Agreement, it said. The EU side emphasised its continuing support for democratic institutions, electoral reform, the rule of law, economic development and poverty reduction in Pakistan. The Pakistan side highlighted the steps taken by the government of Pakistan for the promotion and protection of human rights, including women, children and minority rights, it added. The EU side welcomed these steps, especially the human rights plan of action adopted by the government and its decision to strengthen its human rights institutions, it said. Both the sides also took note of the first GSP Plus progress report. The EU side encouraged continued efforts towards the effective implementation of key human rights conventions, it added. The Pakistan side highlighted the improved security situation and its positive impact on economic revival and higher investment in the country, it said. The EU acknowledged the significant efforts by the government of Pakistan and the sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism and reaffirmed EU’s continued support. Both sides committed to further develop their cooperation on counter-terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation, it added. The Pakistan side apprised the EU on the recent developments in the region, including the current situation in Jammu Kashmir. While noting the recent developments, the EU side underlined the need for resolving disputes with India through dialogue and constructive engagement, it added. Both the sides agreed to further broaden and deepen cooperation under the new strategic engagement plan and discussed matters related to trade, economy and energy, it said. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as climate change, research and higher education, it added. Both the sides recognised the importance of mutual cooperation in the field of energy and looked forward to holding the first energy meeting in 2016, it said. The next EU-Pakistan Joint Commission would be held in November in Islamabad, the press release added.