Summary: April 26, 2005: EU-Pakistan Troika: Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner proposes major increase in aid to Pakistan (Brussels)
The EU-Pakistan Ministerial Troika will meet on 27th April 2005 in Luxembourg. Discussions at the meeting will focus on bilateral relations and steps that can be taken to strengthen the existing partnership, including a Commission proposal to increase annual assistance from the EU four times over. The agenda will also cover political developments in Pakistan, Pakistan-India relations, Afghanistan, counter-terrorism and non-proliferation. The EU Troika will be represented by the Commissioner
for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister, Mr. Jean Asselborn, and the High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Mr Javier Solana. The Pakistani delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Mr. Khurshid M. Kasuri.
Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said, "We have played a prominent role in supporting Pakistan through a challenging period. The European Commission would now like to consolidate this support by substantially increasing our aid to Pakistan in the coming years. We are particularly interested in discussing with the Government of Pakistan the strengthening of our cooperation in the field of education as well as regional development in The North West Frontier Province and Baluchistan. I will propose
to Member States and European Parliament that we increase our annual aid to Pakistan fourfold, reflecting the great importance the EU attaches to Pakistan as a key player in South Asia".
The aid allocation originally foreseen for Pakistan 2002-6 of € 75 million has already been substantially increased with a one-off additional allocation of €70 million for financial service sector reforms in 2002 and education in 2006. The European Commission now proposes to increase the annual allocation for Pakistan from €15 million to up to €60 million in the period 2007-13 to assist Pakistan in implementing its development plans. If Commission plans are approved
by Member States and Parliament, the EU will be the donor with the longest term commitment to Pakistan, helping Pakistan's government to plan. A mission mid-2005 is proposed to further discuss with the Pakistani authorities how a substantially expanded aid programme could best be deployed.
On the eve of the meeting, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner also commented on recent progress in the so-called "composite dialogue" between India and Pakistan, which has led to a series of bridge-building measures, and increased political contacts between the two sides: "I wish to congratulate both Pakistan and India for taking such courageous steps towards strengthening their relationship. The European Union regards the confidence building measures being undertaken by both sides as crucial not
only to fruitful relations between these two important partners, but also to the stability of the region as a whole".
The Commission recognises the strategic importance of Pakistan's role in maintaining regional stability and in the fight against terrorism. The Commission is prepared to work with the Government of Pakistan in the field of counter-terrorism, for instance on anti-money laundering.
In the field of democratisation and human rights, the Commission will encourage Pakistan to continue with its policy of "Enlightened Moderation". The Commission has played an active role in supporting democratisation in Pakistan, and will indicate an interest in further cooperation in this area. The importance of Pakistan's role in facilitating the September parliamentary elections in Afghanistan will also be emphasised.
For more information:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/pakistan/intro/index.htm
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