Luxembourg, 27/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - Addressing the press, the Pakistani minister of foreign affairs, Khurshid Kasuri stated that following the signing in April 2004 of the third generation agreement between EU and Pakistan, the Troika on 27 April in Luxembourg helped to build a “more robust” relationship between the two partners. Javier Solana said that “at each meeting, EU/*Pakistani relations got deeper”. He welcomed Pakistan's intention to continue the “irreversible process” of normalisation of relations with India. According to the Luxembourg foreign affairs minister, Jean Asselborn, this rapprochement was illustrated by the opening of a bus route between two cities in the two countries and the visit to New Delhi of Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf. Asselborn said that they could not run the risk of a nuclear war who also called for assistance to the two countries. This was going “fairly well”, according to Mr Solana.
One area of satisfaction was the support given by Pakistan to diplomatic efforts of the EU3 (France, Germany and the United Kingdom in its negotiations with Iran. Minister Kasuri said that Iran was a good neighbour and that he supported the European initiative for a “peaceful solution” to the nuclear issue. As well as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, trade between Europe and Pakistan, they also discussed the fight against terrorism. Asked about this subject Mr Kasuri provided assurances that Pakistan had “probably done more than any other country” in hunting terrorism on the run on Pakistani soil. He stressed that Pakistan would continue this cooperation in this direction.
European Commissioner for external relations, Benita Ferrero Waldner announced that there would be an increase in aid to Pakistan but that this would be reoriented towards education and regional development in the North West border province of Balouchistan. The Commission's proposal for the financial framework 2007-13 plans on increasing current funding to Pakistan of EUR 15 million (for 2002-06) to EUR 60 million. Ferrero Waldner also announced that a high level mission would be meeting in Brussels this year. This “first” in EU/Pakistani relations should allow for progress on the issue of readmission agreements of illegal immigrants and trade (the EU is Pakistan's main trading partner). With 70% of its exports involving textiles, this essential issue was also mentioned, explained Mr Kasuri, whereas Ms Ferrero Waldner was pleased to point to the EU market access remaining under a system that was compatible with WTO rules.