Brussels, 22/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 20 July, the European foreign affairs ministers stated that the EU remained fully resolved to continuing its dialogue and engagement with Pakistan as part of the five-year EU-Pakistan engagement plan. The engagement focuses mainly on strengthening democracy and stepping up relations with Islamabad. The EU foreign ministers also approved the 2015 report on implementing this engagement plan.
“Depending on progress achieved on the main elements of the engagement plan, including human rights, this could lead to a third EU-Pakistan ad hoc summit”, the EU ministers state in their conclusions.
The Council welcomes the enlargement and deepening of the dialogue with Pakistan over recent years on many issues - including the fight against terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation, and the management of migratory flows - and it is pleased to continue its dialogue with Pakistan on these issues. It states that Pakistan has an important role to play in fostering political, economic and trade relations in the region, “which can contribute to growth, stability and peace in central and south Asia”. The Council encourages Islamabad to continue these initiatives and to try to facilitate the Afghan-led peace talks. Pakistan should also undertake new economic reforms, the EU ministers state.
While recognising the “sacrifice that Pakistan has made in combating terrorism”, the Council asks Pakistan to build on the measures taken to prevent and fight terrorism, and to fight against violent extremism. The ministers also call for further measures on human rights and for the immediate re-establishment of the moratorium on capital punishment. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)