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Friday, June 01, 2012
Pakistan to launch strategic dialogue with EU next weekISLAMABAD: Pakistan will launch strategic talks with European Union (EU) next week as EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Baroness Catherine Ashton is due in the federal capital on June 4. Baroness Ashton’s two-day visit will provide an opportunity to reiterate Pakistan’s interest for inclusion in the GSP Plus and early implementation of the package of Autonomous Trade Preferences (ATPs) for Pakistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday. A Foreign Office spokesman said, “Baroness Catherine Ashton, vice president of the European Commission, will be visiting Islamabad to launch the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue from June 4-6. The Pakistan side will be led by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.” The strategic dialogue is being launched in pursuance of the decision taken at the first Pakistan-EU summit held in 2009. The dialogue will provide modalities for implementation of the five-year Pak-EU engagement plan, which had concluded in January. In 2009, the EU had agreed on trade liberalisation. The spokesman said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with the EU and enjoys excellent relations with all EU member countries. The EU is Pakistan’s single largest trading partner accounting for 25 percent of its total exports and 11 percent of total imports. Bilateral trade in 2011 stands at $10.56 billion, with exports at $6.18 billion and imports at $4.38 billion. Investment from the EU during 2010-11 was to the tune of over $230 million. The European Union has been an important development partner of Pakistan and it has provided generous humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of 2010 and 2011 floods. The EU and Pakistan signed last year a Multi-year Indicative Programme (MIP) for 2011-2013. Under the MIP, the EU would provide 225 million euros for rural development, education, health and governance. staff report
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk