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EU Troika, Pakistan to discuss N-proliferation, terrorism

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Feb 18, IRNA - A Ministerial-level European Union (EU) 
Troika began two-day visit to Pakistan on Wednesday to discuss nuclear
proliferation, security issues, Afghanistan and improving Indo-Pak 
ties, according to a EU note distributed in Islamabad. 
The sixteen-member delegation is headed by the Irish Foreign 
Minister Brian Cowen (current President of the EU Council) and 
included the Netherlands Foreign Minister Bernard Rudolf Bot (the next
term President), the EU External Affairs Commissioner Chris Patten and
senior officials. 
"Likely topics are recent domestic political developments, 
improving relations with India, the recent successful SAARC summit, 
other regional issues including Afghanistan, counter-terrorism and 
international security issues, including recent revelations about 
nuclear proliferation activities," the note said. 
During the visit. EU External Affairs Commissioner Chris Patten 
will sign an agreement financing a cooperation programme on 
Trade-related Technical Assistance for Pakistan to which the EU is 
contributing 5 million euros. 
"The EU regards its relationship with Pakistan as very important, 
not only because of bilateral interests but because of the 
contribution that Pakistan can make to the welfare and stability of 
South Asian region," the note added. 
The EU is Pakistan`s main trading partner representing around 22 
percent of two-way trade. Main EU import items are textiles, 
agricultural products and machinery and equipment. Between 1995 and 
2002 EU imports from Pakistan increased by around 50 percent. 
The EU has proposed 0?71 million in development assistance for 
Pakistan in the years 2003-5, focused on education, fostering the 
trade and business environment, fighting child labour and 
rehabilitation of drug users. 
In 2002, the EU responded to the pressures on the Pakistan economy 
provoked by events in neighbouring Afghanistan, with a preferential 
trade package worth some 0?210 million per year, as well as a 0?50 
million budgetary support programme for the reform of the financial 
sector. 
The visit of the ministerial-level EU Troika to Pakistan will 
provide an opportunity for a high level interaction with the 
representative of the European Union. The visit reflects EU`s desire 
to improve political and economic relations with Pakistan, according 
to a Pakistan Foreign Office statement. 
"Consultations with EU are an important element of our 
politico-economic relations. EU and Pakistan are active partners in 
fight against terrorism, the reconstruction of Afghanistan and 
maintenance of global peace and security," the statement said. 
The history of Pak-EU cooperation dated back to 1976 when EU 
started providing assistance towards projects and to help modernize 
Pakistan`s industrial sector. A new agreement with EU was singed in 
1985 encompassing commercial as well as economic issues. 
A Third Generation Agreement was signed with the EU in assistance 
to Pakistan has steadily increased from dlrs 25 million in 1990-91 to 
dlrs 45 million 2002-3. 
Pakistan exports to EU have increased from dlrs 2.8 billion in 
1996-97 to dlrs 3.1 billion in 2002-3 with a surplus of dlrs 1 billion
in its favour. The main items of our exports include cotton fabric 
cotton yarn, readymade garments, bed linen and sports goods. 
TSH/MM/212 
End