Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Saturday welcomed European Union's Action Plan for Pakistan and its commitment to remain engaged with Islamabad by helping it through the financial assistance for socio-economic development. The PM particularly appreciated EU's support in education, infrastructure and energy sectors and for the capacity building of Pakistan's Law Enforcement Agency personnel.
He was talking to the troika of European Union Ambassadors consisting of Ambassador of Sweden, Spain and European Union who called on him here at the PM's House Saturday to brief him on European Union's Action Plan on Pakistan as approved by the EU's External Relation Council at the end of October, 2009.
On this occasion, the PM emphasised that the European Union must realise that its relations with Pakistan are to be developed on standalone basis and not for the reasons of contiguity with the neighbourhood of Afghanistan. The Prime Minister also called upon the European Union to treat Pakistan at par with India and accord it the same access in the civil nuclear technology as given to India.
The Prime Minister said that he was looking forward to participate in the second Pakistan-European Union's Summit scheduled to be held in Brussels in April to forge a long term strategic partnership with European Union based on mutual trust and mutual interests.
He underlined the need for regular interaction and institutionalisation of summit-level dialogue between Pakistan and European Union, to achieve this common objective. The Prime Minister appreciated European Union's pledge to assist his government in implementation of the Malakand strategy, further liberalisation of trade in goods and services and the continued support for Pakistan's socio-economic development bilaterally through FoDP and through international financial institutions.
While underlining the need for expeditious fulfilment of commitments made to Pakistan at the Tokyo Donors Conference last year, the Prime Minister noted with satisfaction that the European Union had taken lead in timely disbursement of the pledged amount.
He, however, hoped that the EU would utilise the established transparent government mechanisms for channelling its assistance in the interest of its optimum utilisation and benefits for the targeted populations and areas, in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister also hoped that the major countries in the European Union would fully support Pakistan's case for greater market access of its products to the European markets by facilitating expeditious grant of GSP Plus facilities as well as start of meaningful negotiations for Free Trade Agreement.
The troika of European Union Ambassadors informed the Prime Minister that the European Union and its member countries were fully cognisant of Pakistan's importance and its immediate requirements to pursue its campaign against terrorism.
They acknowledged Pakistan's great human and economic sacrifices on that account and assured the Prime Minister that European Union will standby Pakistan in the reconstruction phase of militancy affected areas. They also assured that EU would help Pakistan in developing the capacity of its Law Enforcement Agencies in establishing technical and vocational training institutions and in reforming various socio-economic sectors.
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