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EU, Pakistan agree to boost bilateral ties

(with photo) BRUSSELS, June 17 (KUNA) -- The European Union promised Wednesday to help Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and extremism and cope with the current humanitarian crisis and also to support its economic development.
"The European Union is ready to help Pakistan in many fields," Czech President Vaclav Klaus whose country holds the current EU Presidency told a joint press conference after a meeting with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.
Klaus, who chaired the meeting from the EU side, described the first EU-Pakistan summit as "historic" and said it sends a "positive message" to the peoples of Pakistan and Europe.
He said talks with the Pakistani side were "not easy but productive," and thanked the EU for its support on the war on terror and for giving 124 million euro for mitigating the suffering of the civilian population, especially those who have been affected in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan due to the current military campaign against the Taliban.
He also urged the EU to sign a free trade agreement and grant preferential tariff regime to Pakistan to help strengthen democracy in his country.
On his part, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the first summit with Pakistan "raised our ties to a new level and also launched a strategic dialogue." EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said "Pakistan needs help. We are going to help, not only economical but political and fight against terrorism." Solana said he will be visiting Pakistan soon as part of a regional tour.
A joint statement issued after the summit noted that EU and Pakistan "agreed on further measures for comprehensive cooperation with the aim to engage in strategic dialogue as partners." "The EU and Pakistan recognised that terrorism, extremism and militancy represent serious threats to international peace and security and should be eliminated and terrorist organisations prevented from recruiting," stressed the statement.
Zardari accompanied by his foreign, interior and economic ministers, arrived in Brussels Tuesday evening for a 4-day visit for talks with EU, NATO and Belgian leaders and officials.
He visited the NATO Headquarters Wednesday morning and had a meeting with the North Atlantic Council.
During the meeting, Allies noted that Pakistan and NATO are united in facing the same threat of extremists trying to destabilise Pakistan and the whole region, including Afghanistan, said a NATO statement.
Zardari is expected to meet other EU leaders including German Chancellor Angelika Merkel at the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels on Friday. (end) nk.rk KUNA 171815 Jun 09NNNN