The composite dialogue between Pakistan and India, beginning in Islamabad on Monday, will hopefully start a peace process for lasting peace in South Asia, said President of the European Union on Sunday.
"With the start of the composite dialogue, the European Union hopes that both sides will now take the necessary steps to forward the peace process and we encourage all efforts that will help to sustain progress in achieving a lasting peace," Brian Cowen, which currently holds the EU Presidency told APP in an interview before leaving on a three-day visit to India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, starting from February 16.
During his visit Cowen, who is also Ireland Foreign Minister, will be accompanied with Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, Bernard Sot and the EU External Affairs Commissioner, Chris Patten.
The troika will have talks in India on February 16, and will fly to Kabul on February 17 and to Islamabad on February 18.
They will hold talks with Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, Finance Minister, Shaukat Aziz and the Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar on February 18 in Islamabad, which will coincide with start of the composite dialogue between Pakistan and India.
Pakistan and EU are expected to sign a Trade Support Contract following the troika talks in the Federal Capital. "The European Union is 'firmly committed to developing a closer co-operation with Pakistan. This is the main objective of our visit to Islamabad," said the foreign minister of Netherlands.
He said that EU "sees Pakistan as an important partner on many global issues, including the fight against terrorism, counter-narcotics, non-proliferation and in making multi-lateral institutions more effective."
"We pay particular tribute to the contribution Pakistan makes to the development and stability of the South Asian region as well as to its important role in the Islamic world, he said.
Answering another question on Pakistan-India thaw, Cowen said the EU had been encouraging both the sides to "continue confidence-building measures, including in the field of nuclear capabilities."
To a question on the need for reciprocation from New Delhi to a series of confidence building measures, he said, "We welcome India's readiness to commence the process of a composite dialogue with Pakistan, including on the issue of Kashmir."
"We also encourage Pakistan to work to sustain the fresh forward looking momentum in Indian-Pakistani relations demonstrated by Pakistan's cease-fire initiative, India's reciprocated measures and the steps 'forward at the Saarc summit," he said.
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