Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday reiterated that his government was determined to strengthen democratic institutions in the country. Talking to a European Union's parliamentary delegation, which called on him at the PM House here, the Prime Minister said democracy would help mainstream the people vulnerable to extremists' influences and tendencies.
He hoped that the European Union (EU) would continue to lend its support to Pakistan for further consolidation of the democratic process and for building the capacity of the legislative bodies and mechanisms in the country. The Prime Minister thanked the EU for its assistance of Euro 362 million for the flood relief efforts of his government. He apprised the European Parliamentary delegation that his government was now focusing on the early recovery phase for the rehabilitation of agriculture, health, education, water sanitation and housing sectors in the flood affected areas.
He expressed the hope that important partners like the EU and its member states would continue to remain engaged with Pakistan to help overcome the affects of last year's devastating natural calamity. The Prime Minister sought the European Parliament's support in institutionalising Pakistan-EU summit mechanism and for fast tracking the mutual co-operation interests by chalking out a Five-Year Engagement Plan for the commencement of Ministerial Level's Strategic Dialogue between the two sides.
He stated that Pakistan's side was looking forward to an early visit of Baroness Kathrine Ashton, EU High Representative for Common, Foreign and Security Policy. The EU parliamentary delegation assured the Prime Minister of their Parliament's complete support in early recovery and reconstruction phases of the flood affected areas. They commended Pakistan's pivotal role in the fight against terrorism and called for broadening and expanding scope of co-operation and dialogue between Pakistan and the EU in the areas of security, counter terrorism, human rights and climate change.