Trade concessions: UK MEP Sajjad, Lord Leon hammer out EU strategy for Pakistan

The UK's North West member of the European Parliament, Sajjad Karim met British Prime Minister's advisor on international trade, Lord Leon Brittan and their meeting covered matters surrounding the European Union's trade access policies with Pakistan as well as UK trade with other European Union member states.
As Chairman of the European Parliament's Friends of Pakistan Group, Mr Karim has been a vocal supporter of reducing many of the EU's existing trade barriers with Pakistan in order to help assist the country's economic recovery from the severe flooding.
He has most recently welcomed the European Commission's legislative proposal to cut the tariff to zero on 75 tariff product lines. This would covered 27 percent of Pakistan's exports to the EU and would boost Pakistan's exports by 100 million Euros per year.
Speaking after the meeting which took place at the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday, Karim said: "I was delighted to meet with Lord Brittan to discuss what continues to be a key matter of importance in the UK, the EU and to the future of Pakistan. Our talks were very positive and I am pleased that David Cameron has appointed someone with so much experience and expertise to this role."
"Along with others in the European Parliament, I have constantly pushed for greater trade access between EU countries and Pakistan to help aid its long term economic recovery from the devastating floods. I am very pleased to hear that the UK government supports these proposals." "Lord Brittan and I both agreed that we must ensure we translate the political agreement reached by EU leaders into action that will make a real difference."
"I look forward to working constructively together in the future to provide essential assistance to the people of Pakistan and give the Pakistani economy a lifeline at this time of desperate need." Lord Brittan was appointed as a trade advisor to Prime Minister David Cameron in August to help boost UK and EU trade with the rest of the world. He is an expert in the field of international trade, having previously served as Trade and Industry Secretary under Margaret Thatcher and then as the European Commissioner for Trade in the European Commission.