Appreciating Pakistan's role in the global war against terrorism, Ambassador of Netherlands to Pakistan, Tjerd De Zwaan on Friday said the present democratic government is sincere in its resolve to combat terrorism and overcome militant insurgency.
The current political government is fully capable in resolving these challenges and "we support the steps being taken to counter extremism and militancy in Swat and tribal areas," he told APP. When asked whether a just resolution of Kashmir issue is prerogative for maintaining peace and curbing the trend of extremism in the region, he said, both India and Pakistan should resume dialogue process, stalled after the Mumbai attacks.
It is in the best interest of the region that the two countries resume the dialogue process and resolve all their outstanding issues through talks, he added. Terming poverty one of the root causes of extremism and terrorism, he said his country was extending co-operation to Pakistan to eliminate this menace, adding, the Netherlands has made available more than Euro 550 million in grant aid to Pakistan.
He informed that the bilateral programme is part of a multi-annual strategic plan covering the period from 2008-2011. The Ambassador said the Netherlands assistance programme in Pakistan focuses on - environment, education, good governance and human rights.
These choices tie in with the broader policy objectives of security, social, democratic and economic development and stability, he added. He said that Netherlands has already provided technical support to Election Commission of Pakistan for holding of free and fair election processes in Pakistan through a multi-donor consortium.
Under a project titled Conflict Reduction in South Asia through media collaboration, he said, his country was supporting regional media co-operation and training. Talking about ongoing projects, he said his country was extending co-operation for strengthening organisational capacities of all political parties in Pakistan.
It will also assist members of both houses of parliament in performing legislative and representative functions under strengthening democracy through parliamentary development project. The training course for Pakistani diplomats, developing institutionalised processes towards realisation of women rights and training in international criminal law for Pakistani judges is being carried out. While the projects including supporting transparency, accountability and electoral process and strengthening civil society networking are in the pipeline.
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