EU presidency ends: Denmark backs Pak concessions

Denmark, during its six-month Presidency of the European Union, has extended continuous support for Pakistan in driving the Autonomous Trade Package (ATP) and inclusion of Pakistan in the GSP plus scheme.

The Danish support was highly applauded by both President Asif Ali Zardari and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar during the recent visit of the Danish foreign minister, Villy Sovndal, to Pakistan, according to a statement issued by the Danish embassy.

“The EU trade package will help Pakistan deal with economic losses caused by the unprecedented floods in Pakistan in 2010-11,” it said. It would also help increase Pakistan exports to EU countries with an estimated boost of $300 million, as well as generate thousands of jobs in Pakistan.

“We needed to build bridges between the different positions in the Council; Build bridges between the euro area countries and the countries outside the single currency,” stated the Danish Minister for European Affairs Nicolai Wammen.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2012.