Brussels, 16/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - The EU is willing to increase its assistance to Pakistan, but that country must continue its reform and step up its effort to attain the Millennium Development Goals. That was the message delivered by Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs and German Development Minister Dirk Niebel upon arriving in Islamabad on Thursday 16 June for a joint visit during which they plan to meet President Asif Ali Zardari and other high-level representatives of the government and the National Assembly. The commissioner takes the view that speeding up the political and economic reform process “is the only way Pakistan can move towards sustainable economic growth and stability”. Talks will also be on the next steps towards an EU-Pakistan strategic dialogue. Piebalgs will reaffirm the Commission's intention to increase its development aid by 50% to take it to €75 million annually for the 2011-2013 period, focusing on rural development, support for education and enhanced governance in Pakistan. Meetings are also scheduled with civil society and regional authority representatives. (A.N./transl.jl)