On Wednesday 26 May, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi stressed the “great value” that his country places on its relationship with the EU, calling for it to be strengthened (see EUROPE 12282/12).
“There is great interest in bringing the EU and Pakistan closer together,” he told the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs. In his view, the future relationship should include climate issues, sustainable development, migration, the preservation of the social and political achievements of the last two decades, as well as technology transfer, culture and joint efforts to promote “tolerance and harmony between religions”.
Pakistan’s chief diplomat highlighted the economic potential of his country, which benefits from the GSP+ system. According to him, information technology (IT) exports have increased by 151% over the last five years, and the EU can take advantage of Pakistan’s IT resources to achieve digitalisation. The Minister added that his country, an emerging market which is home to 260 million people, presented many opportunities for trade and investment.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi commented on the European Parliament’s resolution of 29 April condemning blasphemy laws in Pakistan (see EUROPE 12709/9). He said the resolution “reflects a lack of understanding of these laws and the sensitivities of the people in Pakistan and the Muslim world”. While welcoming freedom of expression, the Minister said it should not be used to hurt others. He also lamented the rise in islamophobia.
The Head of Diplomacy also gave an update on the security situation. Rejecting accusations that his country was protecting the Taliban, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the reality was that they existed. “We are telling the Taliban that they must reach a political agreement”, he said, adding that his country was committed to non-violence and wanted peace and stability in Afghanistan. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)