ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) has lauded Pakistan’s progress towards meaningful implementation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)’s Action Plan and also encouraged Islamabad to complete the Action Plan, as the EU also expressed a strong political commitment towards the GSP+ preferential trade regime.
This was stated by a Joint Press Communiqué issued here Wednesday after holding of Fifth Round of Pakistan-European Union Strategic Dialogue, which was held virtually on Tuesday.
The dialogue was held via videoconference between Josep Borrell, high representative for foreign affairs and security policy of the EU and vice-president of the European Commission, and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, foreign minister of Pakistan.
During the meeting, they discussed the growing momentum of the Pakistan-EU relations based on the Strategic Engagement Plan signed in June 2019, and agreed to make efforts towards its comprehensive implementation in all areas of cooperation, including through strengthening of existing and new institutional engagements.
Foreign Minister Qureshi and High Representative Borrell reviewed the ongoing cooperation on security between Pakistan and the EU.
“The EU appreciates the progress made by Pakistan towards the meaningful implementation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Action Plan as acknowledged by the FATF Plenary meeting held in October 2020,” stated the joint communiqué, adding that the EU encouraged Pakistan to complete the action plan.
To further their engagement, it added that both sides agreed to hold the first meeting of the new EU-Pakistan Security Dialogue in 2021, including on the fight against terrorism.
Foreign Minister Qureshi recognised the EU’s financial support of Euro 150 million to help address the Covid-19 pandemic in Pakistan.
The EU appreciates Pakistan’s assistance in repatriation of stranded EU citizens due to flight disruptions.
Both sides discussed ways to further alleviate the social and economic consequences of the ongoing pandemic.
In this context, they exchanged views on promoting international cooperation to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic, and recognised the significance of international debt relief for developing countries.
The high representative/vice-president and the foreign minister expressed a strong political commitment towards the GSP+ preferential trade regime, through which the EU provides significantly-reduced customs duties for countries that implement 27 international conventions related to human rights, labour rights, protection of the environment, and good governance.
They agreed to utilise the GSP+ to its full potential, including by addressing the demand side contraction due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The high representative raised concerns including on the death penalty and the misuse of the blasphemy law. He expressed appreciation for the intention to adopt the anti-torture bill,” the communiqué further stated.
Foreign Minister Qureshi raised deep concerns over the resurgence of Islamophobic acts in some EU member states that have hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world, including in Pakistan.
High Representative Borrell raised deep concerns about recent terrorist acts in Europe.
“Both sides deplored the killing of innocent people and reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen and protect human rights as well as fundamental freedoms, and further promote inter-faith harmony, religious tolerance and co-existence,” it added.
The EU informed about its New Pact on Migration and Asylum. The EU and Pakistan agreed to work towards a comprehensive dialogue on migration and mobility, as envisaged under the Strategic Engagement Plan.
High Representative Borrell and Foreign Minister Qureshi also discussed ways to enhance their bilateral cooperation to address climate change.
The high representative and the foreign minister exchanged views on regional issues and agreed on a Joint Declaration on Afghanistan.
Foreign Minister Qureshi apprised the EU about the recent developments in the region. Qureshi expressed Pakistan’s deep concerns about human rights violations by India in Jammu and Kashmir, and its attempts to change the demography of the disputed territory.
“High Representative Borrell remarked that the EU is following the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir closely. He underlined the need for restraint, de-escalation of tensions and resolution of the dispute through dialogue and constructive political and diplomatic engagement,” the joint communiqué added.
Foreign Minister Qureshi and High Representative Borrell exchanged views on other regional issues and reaffirmed their endeavour for promoting peace and prosperity through collaborative efforts.
Foreign Minister Qureshi and High Representative Borrell agreed to further enhance Pakistan-EU mutual collaboration and engagement.
A separate joint declaration on Afghanistan was also issued through which the two sides reaffirmed their determination to strengthen in a strategic way their long-term, forward-looking and broad-based partnership for peace, development and prosperity.
“‘The Strategic Engagement Plan’ that the two sides signed in June 2019 provides a framework for their bilateral engagements and ambitions in this area,” added the joint declaration. It added that the EU and Pakistan wished to jointly reflect on the current state of play of the Afghan Peace Process, and encouraged its unwavering continuation.
They reaffirmed their strong support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and welcomed the progress made in the last two years, including the signature, on 29 February 2020, of the agreement between the US and the Taliban, and the parallel Declaration between the Government of Afghanistan and the US, in Doha and Kabul respectively.
“Both documents are important, but initial, steps towards the start of genuine Intra-Afghan Peace negotiations in order to find a just and durable solution to the conflict,” it added.
The two sides also welcomed the start of the process of direct intra-Afghan negotiations and the new chapter this opens.
“Since intra-afghan negotiations are Afghan-led and Afghan-owned, therefore, its success depends primarily upon the Taliban and the Afghan Government, and both sides should make earnest efforts for achieving lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan,” it added.
It added that these negotiations should be held with the aim of protecting and strengthening the achievements of the last 19 years in the areas of socio-economic development, human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Afghans, notably women and youth, and lay the democratic foundation of a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan. The EU and Pakistan urged the international community to support Afghanistan for creating conditions for the timely and early return of Afghan refugees.
The two sides welcomed the mutual Eid ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban, as a highly relevant confidence-building measure between the two sides.
“Continued violence in Afghanistan is in sharp contradiction with regional aspirations for peace. It also complicates the efficient tackling of the exceptional threat Afghanistan and the region face with the Covid-19 pandemic,” the joint declaration stated.
The two sides, therefore, called on the parties to observe a lasting humanitarian ceasefire, in response to the global appeal by UN Secretary General Guterres, and to strive towards a complete elimination of violence as a clear demonstration of their genuine commitment to lasting peace and reconciliation.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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