LOC18:15
15:15 GMT
(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
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