Expressing grave concern over the recent attacks on Pakistani border posts by militants from across Afghanistan and brutal killings of Pakistani soldiers, President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday called for effective measures to dismantle terrorist havens in Afghanistan.
The president expressed these views during his meeting with Michael Gahler, member European (EU) Parliament, at the Presidency. He reiterated his call for early operation of the EU’s Autonomous Trade Preferences (ATPs) and Pakistan’s inclusion in GSP+ Scheme.
The president while thanking European Union for its decision to grant trade concessions to Pakistan in the aftermath of devastating floods expressed the hope that the ATP Package would soon be implemented to help Pakistan’s economy recover from the losses suffered from floods during the last two years.
The president said Pakistan’s textile and clothing industry was facing serious obstacles due to high tariffs in the EU market, especially when many of its competitors already have duty free access to the EU market. The president welcomed European Parliament’s decision to revise GSP scheme recommending upward revision of import vulnerability criterion from 1% to 2%. He said Pakistan had ratified all 27 international conventions mandatory for becoming eligible for duty free access to EU through this scheme.
Pakistan has also withdrawn most of reservations against the two conventions i.e. International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention Against Torture. Zardari emphasized that in wake of huge economic cost of the ongoing war against terror and the devastating floods, trade, not aid, was the most sustainable option for Pakistan.
He said greater trade access to Pakistan in EU markets would help the country counter terrorism in line with the government’s three-pronged policy of development, dialogue and deterrence.
The president also raised the issue of fisheries urging for an early resumption of fisheries exports from Pakistan to EU. Fisheries establishments from Pakistan were de-listed by EU in 2007 due to food safety standard concerns. He urged the European Union to initiate FTA negotiations with Pakistan. Discussing bilateral relations and mutual cooperation, the president appreciated EU’s budgetary support to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh for improving primary and secondary education.
Appreciating the EU Multi-annual Indicative Program (MIP), the president also welcomed the second MIP that envisages assistance in KPK and Balochistan for District Governance and Community Development Program, Public Financial Management, rule of law, trade development, support to democratic institutions and promoting human rights. He also thanked EU’s financial support to implementation of Malakand Development Strategy and also through KPK/FATA/Balochistan Multi-Donor Trust Fund that is managed by World Bank. The president also expressed the hope that visit of EU High Representative Lady Catherine Ashton and launching of Pak-EU Strategic Dialogue will further consolidate the bilateral relations.
Zardari said Pakistan sought consistent support of the European Union in mitigating the sufferings of the people hit by natural calamities. On war against terror and the regional situation, the president said in accordance with parliament’s guidelines, Pakistan had opened the Ground Lines of Communications (GLoCs) in the larger interests for peace and stability in the region.
He said recent attacks on Pakistani border posts by terrorists from across the border and brutal killings of Pakistani soldiers was a matter of serious concern. He also stressed upon long-term economic engagement by the international community in Afghanistan which he said was important for sustainable peace of a war-torn country and socio-economic development of the people. Michael Gahler thanked the president for the meeting and assured continued support of European Union to the democracy and the people of Pakistan.
