British Member of European Parliament (EP) Baroness Emma Nicholson has said that the European Union can only take up a mediator's role on Kashmir when both sides (Pakistan and India) invite it for taking up as a mediator on the dispute.
In an interview with a magazine 'Voice of Kashmir', she said the European Parliament values highly and works through bilateral partnerships with India and Pakistan.
Several of EU member states, particularly the UK, have large concentrations of people of Kashmir origin but that does not empower the European Union to intervene.
To a question she said her draft report entitled 'Kashmir, present situation and future prospects' indeed caused controversy, adding the choice of subject was further complicated by the fact that the European Union has neither mandate nor status to empower us to investigate the matter.
About the follow up of the report Emma Nichalson said the first report went slowly through the appropriate Parliamentary stages, turning into a final report and then becoming a final resolution, which was passed by plenary in May 2007 by a huge vote in favour and a tiny vote against plus a few abstentions.
The concept in the draft report and most of the phraseology has been retained with some aspects strengthened at the suggestion of different colleagues. She said the section on terrorism is a good example of the strengthening process. To a question about the long-lasting peace in Kashmir in coming times Nichalson said, "I do not yet foresee peace in Kashmir.
"She said peace in Jammu and Kashmir is coming considerably closer and will be affected before long. She said she is fully committed to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir wherever they may be. It was an honour to serve as the European Parliament's Rapporteur for the people of Kashmir, she added.