Pakistan and European Union (EU) have discussed in depth all the aspects of Third Generation Agreement (TGA) and are moving closer despite the fact that it involves multiplicity of issues, said James Moran, European Union Director external relations for Asia.
Addressing a news conference along with Secretary Economic Affairs Division, M Akram Malik here on Thursday after the end of the first meeting of Pakistan-EC Joint Commission (JC) under Pakistan-EC Co-operation Agreement, James said that delegation of both the sides discussed ways and means to further strengthen the relations.
"We held discussion on trade development, electoral process, governance and civil and human rights issues and improved our understanding" said James adding that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was given a recovery plan to overcome the difficulties it had with EU.
To a question about Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Pakistan, he said it would be too early to do anything about it and no one should expect presupposed outcome. M Akram Malik, Secretary, Economic Affairs Division led the Pakistan side whereas James Moran, Director for Asia in the European Commission, led the EC side.
Akram said the aim of the EC-Pakistan third generation agreement on partnership and development is to deepen relations between the two sides so as to promote mutual understanding and to increase co-operation in diverse areas of EU activity, and help promote socio-economic development in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, a handout said the joint commission is the primary forum for discussions between the partners under the third generation agreement, which meets once a year, alternatively between Islamabad and Brussels to review the progress in relations.
Both sides agreed that the JC is an effective instrument to explore opportunities for the mutual interest of both the partners and expressed their sincere hope that the first meeting will become a milestone in the development of co-operation and economic and trade relations between the two sides. Both the sides agreed to the formation of four sub-groups to carry forward the dialogue and report back to the commission.
The parties discussed a wide-range of subjects including education, health, science and technology, environment, alternative energy etc and expressed the desire to increase the level of co-operation in these areas.
Political and civil issues of mutual interests were also discussed. Both sides shared their views on matters relating to good governance, human rights, migration and regional co-operation.
Bilateral trade and the trade related issues are of great significance for both sides. It was agreed to expand trade relations and work towards removal of impediments in bilateral trade. The sub-group on trade, inter-alia, also agreed to monitor the impact of trade policy in the region on Pakistan's preferential access to European Union markets and will identify possible options for improvement in bilateral trade. In this regard, a study would be carried out on the impact of trade policy in consultation with Pakistan. Both sides welcomed the fact that together the 27-EU member states represent Pakistan's biggest trading partner.
The EC announced increase in co-operation grants from Euro 15 million to an average of Euro 50 million per annum for improvement of education and human resources, rural development, trade and trade related matters etc. It may be recalled that European Commission has also provided an amount of 100 million dollar for earthquake relief and reconstruction.