PM in Brussels to hold second Pak-EU summit

BRUSSELS: Pakistan will seek support from the European Union (EU) and NATO officials in the war against terror, Prime Minister (PM) Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Thursday after arriving in the Belgian capital of Brussels, where leaders from the EU and Pakistan will hold their second high-level summit today.

According to sources, the Pakistan-EU strategic dialogue is expected to take place in resemblance with the one with the US.

Continuation of the summit-level engagement is a testament to the importance the EU attaches to its relationship with Pakistan, and will give further impetus to a sustainable EU-Pakistan political and economic partnership.

At the summit, the PM will convey Pakistan’s appreciation for the EU’s assistance and support in respect to Internally Dislocated Persons (IDPs) and their rehabilitation. He will also draw attention to the successful military operations against the Taliban.

It is expected that the second summit will herald a qualitative up-gradation in political and economic relations. Possibilities will be explored to provide greater market access for Pakistani products to help Pakistan achieve sustainable social and economic development as well as overcome the huge economic and social fallout of the war on terror. Sources also said that the annual aid to Pakistan from the EU can rise to 30 million Euros.

The EU wants to target war-ravaged areas in Pakistan with its support focusing on rural development, natural resource management, education and development of human resources.

According to sources, the EU may provide training and logistics to the law-enforcement agencies in Pakistan, and might even be willing to help sort out the Kashmir issue. Sources also pointed out that Pakistan may be stressed on to make sure of the safety and security of minorities in the country.

The EU side will be represented by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, President European Commission Jose Manuel Barrosso, and EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton.

News Desk (Additional input by ONLINE)

Published in the Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2010.