The EU and Pakistan significantly strengthened its partnership in the last decade. The EU states on its official website that Pakistan is a major development partner of the EU, with one of the largest programs in Asia. For the 2014-2020 period, the amount available for bilateral cooperation with Pakistan is €603 million Euros, complemented with a bilateral investment allocation of €15 million. Accounting for 14.3% of Pakistan's total trade in 2020, the Union is Pakistan's second most important trading partner, and ships over 28% of Pakistan's total exports.
On the other hand, Pakistan was the EU's 42nd largest trading partner only, accounting for 0.3% of EU trade. We can clearly observe a difference in both parties' trade relations: Pakistan is far stronger dependent on the EU's market than vice versa. Regarding security policies, both parties held a Joint Press release in 2019 focussing on Afghanistan's
peace process, stressing that this process should be truly Afghan-led and owned. However, the joint work on security related issues has not been very close nor specific but quite vague, as the EU – Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP) suggests.
Instead, the EU addresses topics that cover political relations, actions to contain COVID-19, humanitarian aid, economic
and trade relations, as well as development cooperation. Recent statements on Pakistan by the EU foreign ministers underline efforts to build a strong long-term EU-Pakistan partnership and indicate full European support for democracy in the country. What that means in real policies remains unclear for both sides, however. The EU's inability in providing military support just yet means that it has only limited influence.
Table of Contents
1. EU’s influence in Pakistan
2. China’s influence in Pakistan
3. Outlook
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the evolving geopolitical dynamics in Pakistan, specifically analyzing the differing roles and influence strategies of the European Union (EU) and China. It investigates how Pakistan navigates these relationships, focusing on economic partnerships, security challenges, and the potential for new diplomatic roles in regional conflict resolution.
- The current state and nature of EU-Pakistan cooperation.
- The strategic impact of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
- The shifting geopolitical landscape involving rivalry between China and the EU.
- Opportunities for the European Union to act as a mediator in regional conflicts, particularly concerning India.
Excerpt from the Book
2. China’s influence in Pakistan
According to Syed and Ying, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is perhaps the most significant part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), not only in economic terms but also socially and politically. This flagship project has the potential to transform Pakistan into a regional East Asian hub, which would be mutually beneficial for both countries. CPEC will allow China to develop economically, and connect it to Central Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe. On the other hand, it is linked with high risks, as Pakistan will be driven fully to China's will on handing out new loans to repay debts in the future. One of the major initiatives, the Gwardar harbor, is almost fully “owned” by China: 91 per cent of the generated revenues in 2017 went to China. The lack of CPEC’s transparency is another clear hint on China’s influence: the official website does not offer much information or any relevant data regarding BRI’s ‘flagship’ project. It is clear that China does not want to share too many details on complications such as unsuccessful or belated projects, which very likely appeared since the country is still under the grip of Covid 19 as of June 2022. China’s involvement, however, is very much welcomed, as it could become a ‘game changer’ in the long-lasting conflicts with India over their borders, to the Siachen glacier, as well as the Kashmir dispute. Hence, India is seen as the foremost concern for Pakistan and its biggest threat. But Pakistan is becoming increasingly cautious of China's own interests over India.
Summary of Chapters
1. EU’s influence in Pakistan: This chapter analyzes the EU-Pakistan partnership, noting that while the EU provides substantial development aid and maintains strong trade ties, it lacks the specific strategic and security influence held by other actors.
2. China’s influence in Pakistan: This section explores the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as a critical component of the Belt and Road Initiative, highlighting both the potential economic benefits and the risks of debt dependence and transparency issues.
3. Outlook: The final chapter assesses the geopolitical rivalry between the EU and China within Pakistan, suggesting that the EU could overcome its lack of military influence by positioning itself as a neutral international mediator in the ongoing disputes between Pakistan and India.
Keywords
European Union, China, Pakistan, Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC, Geopolitics, Economic Partnership, Foreign Policy, Security, India, Conflict Resolution, Development Aid, Trade Relations, Sovereignty, Strategic Engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the divergent influence exerted by the European Union and China on Pakistan, examining how their respective diplomatic and economic strategies shape the country's development and regional standing.
What are the primary thematic areas explored?
The main themes include bilateral trade relations, security policies, the impact of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the geopolitical rivalry between the EU and China in South Asia.
What is the main objective of the research?
The objective is to evaluate the strength and limitations of EU-Pakistan ties compared to the rapidly growing Chinese presence and to explore potential avenues for the EU to increase its strategic leverage.
Which methodology is employed in this study?
The study utilizes a qualitative analytical approach, reviewing official strategic engagement documents, economic data, and academic literature to assess geopolitical and economic trends.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the current state of EU-Pakistan partnership challenges, the risks and benefits of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and a future-looking analysis of regional power shifts.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Key terms include EU-Pakistan relations, CPEC, BRI, Geopolitical rivalry, Economic dependency, and Conflict transformation.
Why is the "Gwardar harbor" mentioned as a point of contention?
The Gwardar harbor is highlighted because it illustrates the high level of Chinese control over critical infrastructure, with a significant majority of its revenue flowing back to China, raising questions about transparency and national sovereignty.
What role does India play in the author's argument?
India is identified as Pakistan's primary security concern. The author suggests that the EU could potentially play a constructive role by acting as an international mediator in the Indo-Pakistani conflict to diversify Pakistan's diplomatic options.
- Quote paper
- Florian Lehmann (Author), 2022, EU-China relations with Pakistan, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1274794
