Islamabad, 25/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Union Troika Louis Michel, Josep Pique, Javier Solana and Chris Patten - praised the courageous attitude of the President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, in Islamabad on Tuesday, the first stage of its rounds aimed at rallying a series of countries into a broad international coalition against terrorism that the United States and the EU want to put in place following the attacks on the United States on 11 September. Before meeting President Musharraf, the Troika had lengthy talks with Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar who confirmed his country's commitment to contributing to seeking those responsible for the attacks. At the end of the Troika meeting with Pakistani Finance Minister, Shaukat Aziz, the President of the EU Council, Louis Michel said that the Union would examine how to develop long-term co-operation with Pakistan, ands that "we brought a message of support, of understanding and also of help to Islamabad".
Tuesday evening, the Troika was expected in Teheran, where a meeting was scheduled and dinner with Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, whereas on Wednesday it is to be received by President Mohammad Khatami.
Wednesday afternoon, the Troika is to meet Crown Prince Abdallah ben Abdel Aziz and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Saoud al-Facal, and Thursday will be received in Cairo by President Hosni Moubarak, as well as Amr Moussa, Secretary General of the Arab League.
Friday, the Troika will have talks in Damascus with President Bachar al-Assad and Foreign Minister Farouk-al-Chareh, whereas its visit to Amman was cancelled, as the King of Jordan, Abdallah II, will be in Washington for talks with President Bush.
Finally, on Saturday, the Troika will make a last stop-off in Skopje (where NATO Secretary General was on Tuesday, for the conclusion, on 26 September, of the NATO weapons collection from Rebel Albanians mission, operation "Essential Harvest": see yesterday's EUROPE, p. 4).