Pak., EU appeal to global community

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, NOV. 24. The European Union and Pakistan are of the view that the question of deployment of a multinational force in Afghanistan should be considered only after an agreement is reached on formation of a broad-based and multi-ethnic set-up. A joint statement issued here at the end of consultations between a high-level European Union delegation and the Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, urged the international community not to `waver from its consensus' on reconstruction of Afghanistan.

The European Union delegation was led by the Prime Minister of Belgium, Mr. Guy Verhofstadt in his capacity as the current President of the EU, and consisted among others of the President of the European Commission, Mr. Romano Prodi.

In the course of a meeting with Gen. Musharraf the delegation held discussions on the security situation in the region as well as Pakistan's relations with the European Union. The Pakistan-EU (Third Generation) Cooperation Agreement was signed envisaging an increased level of cooperation in diverse fields between the two sides.

The joint statement said that the proposed new set-up in Afghanistan ``should be broad-based, multi-ethnic and acceptable to all Afghans.''

The delegation was apprised of the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and the need for international assistance. The European Union has so far pledged $272 million in humanitarian aid.

The EU has promised to help Pakistan to cope with the losses suffered by its economy on account of the war in Afghanistan. The European Union plans to abolish its seven per cent customs duty on textiles from Pakistan and increase quotas for such goods by 15 per cent.

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Section  : International
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