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Saturday, September 11, 2010
EU needs a ‘comprehensive approach’ to help Pakistan* European Union foreign policy chief says alliance considering ways to support Pakistan
BRUSSELS: Ahead of a key European Union meeting over Pakistan, EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton has said that the bloc needed a “comprehensive approach” that includes not only humanitarian aid, but also helping Pakistan fight terrorism and boost trade.
Ashton met Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday ahead of the informal two-day foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels that would discuss the flood crisis in Pakistan.
The EU already has committed $89 million to help Pakistan recover from the devastation, and now is looking for a long-term aid strategy to help the country get back on its feet.
“What we’re trying to do now is link together all the different ways we support Pakistan... it’s very, very important,” she said, as ministers headed into the talks in Brussels. “They need help to develop civilian police forces, the potential to tackle terrorism before it turns into actions by terrorists and, of course, the capacity to develop their economic platform,” she said.
The EU now is attempting to help Pakistan feed flood victims and fight terrorism. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said he is pushing to open European markets to Pakistan exports.
“Whoever wants to stabilise Pakistan and prevent it from drifting toward extremism and fundamentalism must ensure that the economic consequences of this natural disaster will be absorbed,” he said.
Pakistan has been urging the EU to grant it enhanced access to its markets in order to boost its struggling economy, as well as provide more aid to Pakistan to help it fight terrorists.
Pakistani Ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani recently warned that flooding had stretched thin the Pakistani military and would hamper its fight against terrorists.
“The military’s resources, particularly its limited supply of helicopters, are busy with flood relief,” Haqqani had said, adding that going after terrorists in North Waziristan or other terrorist havens would depend on the military’s continuing capabilities. ap
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk