Brussels (National Times) Ambassador Naghmana Alamgir Hashmi served as Ambassador of Pakistan to the European Union, Belgium & Luxembourg, from April 2014 to July 2019.During her tenure in Brussels, Ambassador Hashmi strengthened political and institutional engagement with the European Commission, EEAS and European Parliament, advancing Pakistan’s strategic, political and economic interests and promoting a more substantive Pakistan–EU relationship.Ambassador Hashmi’s sustained efforts were instrumental in the signing of the Pak-EU Strategic Engagement Plan in June 2019, which remains the bed-rock of institutional engagements between the two sides.Ambassador Hashmi laid down the foundations of the implementation of the preferential trade agreement, GSP+, between Pakistan and the EU, playing a pro-active and meaningful role in shaping its future course. The GSP+ preferences since 2014 continue to provide an important opportunity to expand Pakistan’s exports to the EU. Ambassador Hashmi focused strongly on maximising the benefits of this framework.Ambassador Hashmi laid keen emphasis on expanding cultural and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and the EU. With her emphasis on cultural diplomacy, the Embassy organized a number of events under her leadership, introducing Pakistani food and music.Through a distinguished career spanning over 37 years, Ambassador Hashmi served at Pakistan’s missions in Paris, Jakarta, Copenhagen and Beijing, as well as Ambassador of Pakistan to Ireland and, subsequently, to China.Ambassador Hashmi is remembered for her legacy of diplomatic achievements and further strengthening Pakistan-EU partnership.