EU and Pakistan need to work together to combat terrorism
EU Commissioner for Development says Pakistan’s role in S Asia and the world is on top of its political agenda.
ISLAMABAD:
European Union stands by Pakistan, a country that has suffered the most in its struggle against extremist and terror activities.
This was said by Andris Piebalgs, EU Commissioner for Development, on Thursday during a lecture “The Future of EU - Pakistan Relations” at School of Politics and International Relations at Quaid-i-Azam University.
“We need to work together to combat the menace of extremism. The EU is anxious to reach out to all those who believe, like Jinnah,
that it should be possible - even in a state where one religion dominates - to give space and respect to those with different cultural traditions,” Piebalgs said.
Piebalgs added that although cooperation with the “west” has become a controversial issue for Pakistan, Europe has Pakistan’s role in South Asia and the world at large on top of their political agenda.
“EU monitored and supported the 2008 elections, and offered full political backing to the new government,” he said, “Now we are ready to continue assisting Pakistan in all the areas which are vital for its democratic development.”
He said EU would cooperate with educational establishments, police and prosecution services, and with the elected representatives.
EU is Pakistan’s most important export market, he added. Over the last five years the European taxpayers have funded, through their government and the commission’s projects, an average of more than €300 million a year. EU also extended humanitarian aid in the wake of the 2005 earthquake. Last year, EU immediately responded with €430 million of humanitarian support for the flood victims. In addition to the aid, hundreds of millions were raised by NGOs and private European citizens.
He said EU wants reconciliation between Pakistan and India and wishes to see peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. “Pakistan and Europe have many common values; we have many common concerns and common interests,” he maintained.
“We want to offer your country a commitment of support in the long run and build a strong and reliable relationship based on mutual interests,” the commissioner said. He said we have already come a long way in advancing our relations since the EU-Pakistan Cooperation Agreement that came into force in 2004. He informed the audience that political dialogue between both the countries has been reinforced and the Joint Commission now meets on a regular basis. “We cooperate in the ‘Friends of Democratic Pakistan’ group which is helping to focus international attention on Pakistan’s challenges,” he added.
QAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Mohammad Masoom Yasinzai in his welcome address said that European Union is not only the economic power house of the world but it also excels in global governance issues and human rights. Relations between EU and Pakistan are multi -layered. It is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and has always provided Pakistan with humanitarian assistance at the time of natural calamities.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2011.
European Union stands by Pakistan, a country that has suffered the most in its struggle against extremist and terror activities.
This was said by Andris Piebalgs, EU Commissioner for Development, on Thursday during a lecture “The Future of EU - Pakistan Relations” at School of Politics and International Relations at Quaid-i-Azam University.
“We need to work together to combat the menace of extremism. The EU is anxious to reach out to all those who believe, like Jinnah,
that it should be possible - even in a state where one religion dominates - to give space and respect to those with different cultural traditions,” Piebalgs said.
Piebalgs added that although cooperation with the “west” has become a controversial issue for Pakistan, Europe has Pakistan’s role in South Asia and the world at large on top of their political agenda.
“EU monitored and supported the 2008 elections, and offered full political backing to the new government,” he said, “Now we are ready to continue assisting Pakistan in all the areas which are vital for its democratic development.”
He said EU would cooperate with educational establishments, police and prosecution services, and with the elected representatives.
EU is Pakistan’s most important export market, he added. Over the last five years the European taxpayers have funded, through their government and the commission’s projects, an average of more than €300 million a year. EU also extended humanitarian aid in the wake of the 2005 earthquake. Last year, EU immediately responded with €430 million of humanitarian support for the flood victims. In addition to the aid, hundreds of millions were raised by NGOs and private European citizens.
He said EU wants reconciliation between Pakistan and India and wishes to see peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. “Pakistan and Europe have many common values; we have many common concerns and common interests,” he maintained.
“We want to offer your country a commitment of support in the long run and build a strong and reliable relationship based on mutual interests,” the commissioner said. He said we have already come a long way in advancing our relations since the EU-Pakistan Cooperation Agreement that came into force in 2004. He informed the audience that political dialogue between both the countries has been reinforced and the Joint Commission now meets on a regular basis. “We cooperate in the ‘Friends of Democratic Pakistan’ group which is helping to focus international attention on Pakistan’s challenges,” he added.
QAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Mohammad Masoom Yasinzai in his welcome address said that European Union is not only the economic power house of the world but it also excels in global governance issues and human rights. Relations between EU and Pakistan are multi -layered. It is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and has always provided Pakistan with humanitarian assistance at the time of natural calamities.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2011.