BRUSSELS: India and the European Union are seeking a compromise on a controversial EU plan to offer flood-devastated Pakistan trade concessions as relief, both sides said at a summit on Friday.
Prompted by Britain, leaders of the 27-nation bloc have approved a scheme to offer two years of trade concessions to Pakistan – essentially on textiles – to ease its recovery from the floods, but need a waiver from the WTO in Geneva to kickstart the aid.
India however has expressed concerns over the plan at the 153-nation Geneva-based World Trade Organisation, while Peru and Brazil too have called for consultations, meaning the waiver remains in doubt.
Asked at a news conference whether India would support the EU scheme in Geneva, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appeared to reiterate Delhi’s stand that trade-linked aid was not the ideal way to relieve Pakistan but said talks to come to a joint position were continuing.
“The EC (European Commission) officials are in touch with their Indian counterparts on this and we will satisfactorily resolve this matter,” Singh said in response to a question. “We support all international efforts to provide succour to the flood victims of Pakistan through direct aid and grant assistance. On the other part we too had offered and remain willing to support the victims of natural calamities through relief assistance,” he added.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said targeted market access to the EU for Pakistan was aimed at helping flood victims and bolstering the country. “The stability of Pakistan is in everyone’s interest,” he said.
He added that he was “aware that partners including India might have questions and concerns”. “We are discussing this with our partners,” Barroso said.
