EU welcomes Pakistan’s progress on FATF action plan

ISLAMABAD:

The European Union (EU) has welcomed the progress made by Pakistan in implementing the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plan and also lauded the adoption of the ‘Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill’ by parliament.

A joint communiqué issued on Wednesday at the conclusion of sixth round of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue late on Tuesday, also mentioned that the continental bloc welcomed Pakistan’s “ongoing efforts to address the remaining FATF actions”.

The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and European Commission Vice-President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in Brussels. The two sides reviewed the ongoing bilateral cooperation based on the Strategic Engagement Plan.

According to the joint communique, Qureshi and Borrell reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen and protect human rights as well as fundamental freedoms, focussing on freedom of religion and belief, inter-faith harmony, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, and rights of the minorities.

According to the communiqué, shared by the Foreign Office, Qureshi raised concerns at the rising trends of Islamophobic acts, xenophobia and religious intolerance in the world and the need for common resolve to counter them.

Both sides expressed strong political commitment towards the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) and the implementation of 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, protection of the environment and good governance.

Borrell raised concerns on matters, including death penalty and misuse of the blasphemy laws. He also expressed appreciation for the adoption of the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill by the Parliament of Pakistan and hoped that the Anti-Torture Bill and other human rights related legislations that were before parliament would be adopted soon.

Both the sides welcomed the continued cooperation with Pakistan on electoral matters. The EU High Representative informed Foreign Minister Qureshi about the upcoming follow-up visit of the EU Election Observation Mission to Pakistan of 2018.

Both sides discussed the importance of decisive global action on climate adaptation and building climate resilience, and the importance of developed countries taking the lead in mobilising climate finance, noting the significant role of public and private funds, and technology to facilitate the transition.

Borrell welcomed Pakistan’s pronouncement, prior to the Glasgow conference, of its Nationally Determined Contribution to reaching the common climate objectives.

Read More: Pakistan not yet off the FATF hook

The high representative and foreign minister had an extensive exchange of views on the situation in Afghanistan. They agreed to the importance of maintaining sustained engagement with Afghanistan to promote stability and countering narcotics as well as the threat of terrorism.

They expressed grave concern at the potential for an economic collapse and significantly worsening humanitarian crisis and a fresh flow of refugees.

Both sides acknowledged Afghanistan’s serious liquidity challenges, which strained the legitimate banking services. They also agreed on the need for continuing urgent and unhindered humanitarian assistance and basic social services support to the Afghan people.

They highlighted the importance of improving the socio-economic situation and preserving human rights, notably those of women and girls, and persons belonging to minorities.

Both sides supported dialogue among the Afghan parties for achieving national reconciliation and underlined the importance of an inclusive and representative government, to enhance the prospects of security and stability.

The high representative thanked Pakistan for its support in evacuation of EU nationals and the safe passage of people from Afghanistan. The foreign minister expressed Pakistan’s support for the EU’s inclusion in regional political consultation mechanism on Afghanistan.

Foreign Minister Qureshi reiterated Pakistan’s deep concerns about human rights violations by India in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and the efforts to change the demography of the disputed territory in violation of United Nations Security (UNSC) resolutions.

Borrell underscored that the EU was following the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir closely and restated the need for restraint, de-escalation of tensions and resolution of the dispute through dialogue and constructive political and diplomatic engagement.

He welcomed as an important step, in the interest of regional peace and stability, the agreement of February 2021 between India and Pakistan for observance of ceasefire understanding at the Line of Control (LoC) and to engage through the established mechanisms.

Both sides also exchanged views on other regional issues and reaffirmed their commitment to the endeavours for promoting peace and prosperity through concerted efforts, the joint communique added.

Also on Tuesday, Qureshi met NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and exchanged views on regional situation, including the latest developments in Afghanistan. The two sides agreed to work together for promoting Pakistan-NATO relations and to remain engaged on issues of mutual interest.

Qureshi highlighted the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan for Pakistan and stressed upon continued international engagement and support to stabilise the situation in the war-torn country. He underscored the importance of continued collaboration to tackle the threat of terrorism.

Stoltenberg appreciated Pakistan’s support during the NATO’s two-decade long engagement in Afghanistan, including through the Air and Ground Lines of Communications as well as the pivotal role during the evacuation of NATO staff, nationals of NATO member states from Afghanistan.

Qureshi expressed the hope that the international community would expeditiously extend financial and humanitarian assistance to enable the country to meet its compelling needs, help avert a humanitarian catastrophe, stop fresh outflows of migrants, and prevent Afghanistan from once again becoming a safe haven for terrorists.

Highlighting Pakistan’s efforts towards peace and stability in South Asia, Qureshi stated that Pakistan pursued a policy of peace with all its neighbours and sought to resolve all outstanding issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, through dialogue and engagement.