ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) has decided to hold the third bilateral summit with Pakistan next year to implement the proposed Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP) for progress in resolving human rights and migration issues.

Talking to a group of journalists on Wednesday, the Managing Director of the European External Action Service, Gunnar Wiegand, recalled that the EU council decided that progress in the areas of human rights and migration, including the readmission treaty would lead to a third Pak-EU Summit in 2017.

Mr Wiegand, speaking af ter attending the seventh session of the Pakistan-EU Joint Commission, said that good progress on the subjects would lead to the proposed SEP which is planned to be finalised next year forapproval at the Pak-EU Summit.

Both the sides will meet on Thursday to discuss the elements of SEP and cooperation on security, regional issues and return of illegal immigrants from Pakistan under the readmission agreement.

The EU expressed concern over the human rights situation in Pakistan with respect to freedom of religion, minority rights, status of women and children, and fairness of trial, including the lifting of the moratorium on death penalty.

`The EU appreciates steps taken by the Pakistan, especially the National Human Rights Action Plan and the government`s decision to strengthen human rights institutions,` read a joint statement issued af ter the meeting. The two sides agreed `to cooperate on migration issues and reaffirmed their commitment to implement the EU-Pakistan Readmission Agreement`, the statement added.