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10-05-2016, 04:22 AM
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Endorsing Pakistan, EU calls for talks to resolve disputes
climate change, research and higher education; Indian move to isolate Pakistan fails ISLAMABAD: Instead of heading towards ‘isolation’, Pakistan was being toasted in the capital of the European Union (EU), Brussels, when on Tuesday the EU clearly said that there was a need for resolving disputes through dialogue and constructive engagement, reflecting the statements of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ever since India upped the ante. Recognising Pakistan as a major player in the region specially when it came to regional security, the EU encouraged Pakistan to ‘continue’ its efforts in promoting peace in Afghanistan and appreciated Pakistan's support for a successful outcome of the Brussels Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan on Wednesday. Pakistan also got a pat in the back when the EU ack**wledged the significant efforts by the government of Pakistan and the sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism and reaffirmed the EU’s continued support. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, emphasised the EU’s continuing support for Pakistan’s ‘democratic institutions,’ ‘electoral reform’, ‘the rule of law’, ‘eco**mic development and poverty reduction in Pakistan.’ According to a joint statement from Brussels and Islamabad, EU’s support came in a meeting that Mogherini had with Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Foreign Affairs, during the third Session of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue. Sartaj Aziz during the meeting explained in great detail about the recent developments in the region, including the current situation in Kashmir. “**ting with concern the recent developments, the EU side underlined the need for resolving disputes through dialogue and constructive engagement”, the joint statement added. A**ther boost for Pakistan was the decision of the EU to work with Islamabad on replacing the “Five-Year Engagement Plan”, adopted in 2012, with an “EU-Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan”. “Every effort will be made to finalise the new Engagement Plan by the middle of 2017, for approval by the next EU-Pakistan Summits”, said the statement. However, the spokesman at the Foreign ****** here when asked did **t give further details of this change in Plan, and remarked that , “the point is covered in the joint statement”. This will also further broaden and deepen cooperation under the new Strategic Engagement Plan and matters related to trade, eco**my and energy will be discussed under its umbrella. Though there are misgivings about the Sharif government some of the high quality work which the Sharif government has managed to accomplish during its tenure was ack**wledged by the EU, which took a step forward and said it “is ready to consider providing additional support, including for the repatriation of Afghan refugees to Afghanistan in safety and dignity”. The EU ack**wledged the challenges faced by Pakistan in hosting over 3 million refugees. The EU also ack**wledged and welcomed steps by the Nawa Sharif government especially the Human Rights Plan of Action adopted by the Government of Pakistan and its decision to strengthen its human rights institutions. “Sartaj Aziz highlighted the steps taken by the Government of Pakistan for the promotion and protection of human rights, including women, children and mi**rity rights”, added the joint statement. Both sides committed to further develop their cooperation on Counter-Terrorism, Disarmament and **n-Proliferation. They also agreed to strengthen dialogue on defence matters, including through EU-Pakistan Staff interactions. Both sides discussed migration and refugees issues. The Pakistan side underlined the need for addressing the root causes of migration and taking an integrated approach encompassing different aspects of migration. They agreed to further strengthen cooperation on migration issues, including irregular migration, and reaffirmed their commitment to the continued implementation of the EU-Pakistan Readmission Agreement. Both sides also took **te of the first GSP+ progress report. The EU side encouraged continued efforts towards the effective implementation of key human rights conventions. The Pakistan side highlighted the improved security situation and its positive impact on eco**mic revival and higher investment in Pakistan. Pakistan and the EU also agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as climate change, research and higher education. Both sides recognised the importance of mutual cooperation in the field of energy and looked forward to holding the first energy meeting still in 2016. The next EU-Pakistan Joint Commission, to be held in **vember in Islamabad, will further enhance the dialogue between the two sides. Meanwhile, separately, the United Nations High Commissioner says that the UN is seriously concerned about the human rights situation in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the rising tensions between India and Pakistan. “We urge India and Pakistan to engage in a dialogue and to de-escalate the situation. The inflammatory remarks on both sides only fuel the tensions and could result in a further deterioration of the human rights situation”, a statement form the High Commissioner’s ****** added. “We reiterate our call for unfettered and unconditional access to both Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Kashmir to enable us to independently and impartially monitor the human rights situation. We stand ready to support efforts to de-escalate the situation”, the statement added at a time when Pakistan has welcomed with open arms any third party that wants access to Azad Kashmir and the Line of Control. APP adds: Pakistan Tuesday welcomed the statement of the UNHC spokesman expressing serious concerns over the human rights situation in Indian-Held Kashmir (IoK). The UNHC also reiterated the call for unfettered and unconditional access to Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to enable it to independently and impartially monitor the human rights situation. أكثر... ??????? ??????: Endorsing Pakistan, EU calls for talks to resolve disputes || ??????: ahlam1399 || ??????: اسم منتداك
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