First European Union (EU)-Pakistan

KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Bernama) -- The first European Union (EU)-Pakistan
Summit held in Brussels Wednesday marked a new milestone at strengthening
relations between EU and Pakistan.

In a statement to Bernama, both EU and Pakistan said that the summit was an
important and positive step in strengthening bilateral relations.

They agreed to take up further measures for comprehensive cooperation with
the aim to engage in strategic dialogue as partners, including at the highest
level, building inter alia on the EC-Pakistan Cooperation Agreement concluded in
2004 and the EU-Pakistan Joint Declaration of February 2007.

At the summit, leaders of EU and Pakistan also held discussions on regional
political situation, global issues and the world economy.

They agreed on substantial measures to strengthen mutual engagement by
initiating strategic dialogue on their common commitment to development,
education, science and technology, security, counter-terrorism, strengthening
democracy, human rights and enhancing trade.

They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation within the
framework of the United Nations and in multilateral fora to address global
concerns, including in the areas of development, environment, energy,
disarmament, arms control, including arms trade and non-proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction (WMDs).

According to the statement both EU and Pakistan are committed to cooperating
in the "Friends of Democratic Pakistan" group to support Pakistan's efforts for
prosperity and stability.

The EU was represented by President Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic;
the European Commission (EC) by President Jose Manuel Barroso while Dr Javier
Solana was the High Representative for the EU's Common and Security Policy.
Pakistan was represented by President Asif Ali Zardari.

The statement said EU and Pakistan recognised that terrorism, extremism and
militancy represent serious threats to international peace and security and
should be eliminated and terrorist organisations prevented from recruiting.

The EU leaders recognised the sacrifices which the Pakistani people and
security forces are making in confronting these issues and acknowledged
Pakistan's strong commitment to promoting stability and peace in the region.

They expressed confidence that a successful outcome of the security and law
enforcement operations would help assure prosperity to the people of Pakistan
and greatly strengthen the democratically elected government in achieving its
political and development objectives.

Both sides stressed the critical importance of international support to
Pakistan's ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, including through the interdiction
of supply of weapons and money to terrorists and armed groups, drug dealers and
criminal gangs.

They reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate with each other in the fight
against terrorism, both within the framework of the United Nations and
bilaterally.

The leaders underlined the importance of an integrated long term strategy,
which includes social economic development, civilian law enforcement structures
and the rule of law, in order to secure the gains of the present security
measures on a permanent basis.

They welcomed the initiation of cooperation between Pakistan and the EU
aimed at improving Pakistan's counter-terrorism capabilities, notably in the
field of law enforcement and criminal justice.

They also agreed that it was particularly important to support Pakistan's
police forces and in this regard, agreed to start a regular Pakistan-EU
Counter-Terrorism dialogue.
-- BERNAMA