EU urges Pak to speed up reform programme in interests of bolstering ties

Islamabad, August 2 (ANI): The European Union (EU) has called on Pakistan to speed up its reforms programme, as both sides agreed on a number of measures, notably launching a Strategic Dialogue later this year, to bolster their ties.

"The ministers looked forward to a reinforced political dialogue, at all levels, early completion of an ambitious EU-Pakistan Five-Year Engagement Plan and the launching of the Strategic Dialogue leading to the third EU-Pakistan Summit," the Dawn quoted a joint statement, as saying which was issued after a meeting between Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and her Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski.

EU Foreign Affairs and Security High Representative Lady Ashton would visit Pakistan for the Strategic Dialogue, whose dates would be fixed later through diplomatic channels.

The Strategic Dialogue is expected to follow the November meeting of Joint Commission (JC)- the Pak-EU forum that discusses promotion of economic relations and other issues such as governance, human rights, migration, development cooperation and science and technology.

These meetings would then lead to this year's summit, which has already been delayed and could be rescheduled to early next year.

A source said the visiting delegation underscored Brussels' concerns about security, human rights and the poor progress on reforms plan and urged Islamabad to address them.

"Pakistan is keenly looking forward to the next Pakistan-EU Summit that could be held in Islamabad, which would greatly facilitate in developing closer linkages with the European Union", Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani said after a meeting with Sikorski.

EU's pledge to consider Pakistan for preferential trade concessions - GSP + - from 2014 interested the country's leadership.

An EU plan to give Pakistan time-limited trade concessions had earlier run into problems at the World Trade Organisation due to India's objections.

The European leaders are now looking at the GSP+ as an alternative process, which would commence next year. (ANI)