ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani reiterated that
democracy is the answer of counter terrorism and
extremism for which his government is determined to strengthen the democratic
institutions in the country.
Democracy, he added, would help to mainstream the
people vulnerable to extremists’ influences and tendencies. He hoped that
European Union would continue to lend its support to Pakistan for further
consolidation of the democratic process and for building the capacity of the
legislative bodies and mechanisms in the country.
The Prime Minister was talking to EU Parliamentary delegation which called on
him at the PM’s House here on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister thanked the EU for its assistance of Euro 362 Million for
the flood relief efforts of his government. While apprising the European
Parliamentary delegation that his government was now focusing on the early
recovery phase for the rehabilitation of agriculture, health, education, water
sanitation and housing sectors as well as the community infrastructure in the
flood affected areas, he expressed the hope that important partners of Pakistan
like EU and its member states will continue to remain engaged with Pakistan to
help overcome the affects of last year’s devastating natural calamity.
The Prime Minister sought European Parliament’s support in institutionalizing
Pakistan-EU Summit mechanism and for fast tracking the mutual cooperation
interests by chalking out a Five Year Engagement Plan for the commencement of
Ministerial Level’s Strategic Dialogue between the two sides. He stated that
Pakistan’s side was looking forward to an early visit of Baroness Kathrine
Ashton, EU High Representative for Common, Foreign and Security Policy. He
underscored the need for enhanced Parliamentary exchanges between Pakistan and
EU for creation of better understanding of each other’s point of view on issues
of mutual interests.
The Prime Minister also sought European Parliament’s support for passage of
EU’s Trade Concession Package for Pakistan through WTO in early May; grant of
GSP Plus facilities to Pakistan as committed by EU; and for commencement of
negotiations on Free Trade Agreement between the two sides.
The EU Parliamentary delegation assured the Prime Minister of
theirParliament’s complete support in early recovery and reconstruction phases
of the flood affected areas. They commended Pakistan’s pivotal role in the fight
against terrorism and called for broadening and expanding scope of cooperation
and dialogue between Pakistan and EU in the areas of security, counter
terrorism, human rights and climate change.
The members of the delegation also undertook to proactively support
Pakistan’s case for greater market access to the European markets and called for
enhanced coordination and engagements between the two sides for sorting out the
trade related issues.
The EU Parliamentary delegation comprised of Mr Nirja Deva MP, Ambassador Mr
Lars Gunnar Wigemark, Mr Enrique Guerrero Salom, MP and Mr Ricardo Cortez
Lastra.
Senator Syeda Sughra Imam, Secretary EAD and other senior officers were also
present in the meeting. SANA
