The European Union (EU) welcomes the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and supports peace process in the region, says designated ambassador to Guatemala (Central America), Stefano Gatto.
“The CPEC will open new doors in South Asia. It will create more jobs, better infrastructure, trade and investment for the regional countries and peace in the region. The EU will continue its political, social, economic cooperation with Pakistan. To support civilian government in Pakistan is our priority. Pakistanis are cooperative and hospitable people. EU welcomes CPEC and supports peace process in the region,” he said.
During an interview, Gatto said that democracy is conducive for improved economic and social conditions. Respect for democratic principles and human rights are fundamental and non-negotiable conditions for the EU, he said. The functioning of democratic institutions in Pakistan has improved considerably, including a far reaching devolution process through the 18th amendment to Pakistan’s constitution and the promotion of human rights at both a federal and provincial level, he added.
He said that Pakistan and the EU have signed up to all major international human rights conventions and are working together in major international firms such as the United Nations, adding that EU supports Pakistan’s commitment to strengthen its democratic institutions and promote human rights across all part of the society. The EU played an important role through its Election Observation Mission during the 2002, 2008 and 2013 Pakistan general elections. Since 2008, over 70 recommendations made by the election observers have been followed up. As per EU practice, the 2013 EU Election Observation Mission has prepared a new future EU engagement with Pakistan stakeholders for the 2013-2018 electoral and parliamentary cycles. He termed the transfer of the power from one elected government to another elected government in 2013 as EU’s success. He said strengthening Pakistan’s parliamentary institutions in their core functions of legislation, oversight and representations is a priority for EU-Pakistan relations.
The EU works with the civil society in Pakistan to eliminate violence against women and children, support women’s political empowerment, prevent trafficking in human beings, strengthen juvenile justice reform and ensure the religious minorities, said Gatto. The EU is supporting the government of Pakistan as well as civil society to deliver on Pakistan’s obligations according to international human rights laws and protect, promote and fulfill human rights with a focus on women and children rights, freedom of religion and belief, and rule of law and access to justice. The EU also strives worldwide for the abolishment of death penalty, he added.
Gatto said that at present, Pakistan benefits from the EU’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP+) which in its present form has benefited the traditional sectors, mainly textiles and leather. As a result, almost 20 per cent of Pakistan’s exports enter the EU at zero tariff and more than 70 per cent at a professional rate. The EU is one of the main development partners of Pakistan, focusing on issues like education, rural development and governance rather than physical infrastructure. This is a sort of “soft” co-operation, centered on the concept of human development. Progressively, Pakistan and the EU have widened the scope of their political relations, which embrace issues as diverse as the multilateral agenda, counterterrorism, disarmament, governance, human rights and energy.
Talking about his around two-year presence in Pakistan, he praised the Pakistani people and said that since he arrived in Islamabad, he always found Pakistani people welcoming him with a smiling face. Pakistan is a rich fertile country. The richness of its heritage and the kindness of its people attract foreigners. Comparing Pakistani with Indian people, while he has served in India for long time, he said, Indians are very straight and rude but Pakistanis are flexible and cooperative. He visited many cities of the country, including Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Kashmir. He found northern areas of Pakistan very beautiful and said that lush green grass and natural scene makes Pakistan a wonderful tourist spot.
