ISLAMABAD: The second round of comprehensive strategic dialogue between Pakistan and the European Union will begin next week in Brussels.
“Both sides will discuss in depth cooperation on a wide range of issues, including counter-terrorism and nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament,” EU Ambassador to Pakistan Lars-Gunnar Wigemark said yesterday.
Pakistan and the EU will also review the implementation of a five-year engagement plan and the rapid change taking place in South Asia, such as the drawdown of international forces from Afghanistan and role of Islamabad in upcoming Afghan election, he added.
The Pak-EU Strategic Dialogue and the Engagement Plan have been launched to strengthen relations,to build the full range of EU-Pakistan cooperation, from foreign and security policy to development and trade.
Wigemark said the illegal migration from Pakistan and the issues being faced by the legal migrants were big problems for some of the EU members. The issues of trade and energy reforms are on the table.
Various trade facilitation programmes will be discussed during the strategic dialogue.
The ambassador said, the EU was working on projects for improving food safety and security.
The implementation on Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement will also be reviewed in Brussels.
On a question on talks with the Taliban, he said it was the decision of a democratically elected government and the EU supported the move as such.
“We are not expecting any breakthrough in the Brussels’ meeting and the purpose of the second round is to have comprehensive relations with Pakistan,” the EU envoy said.
Wigemark withdraw the ongoing trial of former president Pervez Musharraf.
INTERNEWS
