Updated on
Summary
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani urged the EU countries to provide Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Plus facility and support Pakistans bid for signing the Free Trade Agreement. Gilani said enhanced trade not aid, in the long run, would help Pakistan in its economic recovery and in turn quelling the militancy and extremism by undertaking development projects and creating employment opportunities in the affected areas. Talking to Foreign Minister of Portugal Luis Amado, at the PM House, the Prime Minister emphasized the imperative of resolution of the core issue of Kashmir and water dispute with India to enable Pakistan to fully focus on its western border in the interest of regional stability and a peaceful South Asia. The Prime Minister called for the international communitys whole hearted participation in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of infrastructure work in the affected areas. He said that unless Pakistan is able to win the hearts and minds of the affected people, the military success against militants alone will not bring in the desired results. He said that the EU should play its role in the capacity building of Pakistans law enforcement agencies by properly equipping them and providing social safety net for the families of their personnel who have lost their lives. Prime Minister also sought the help of the government of Portugal in institutionalizing the framework of Pakistan EU Summit. He noted that Spain had indicated to host the second Pakistan EU Summit during its EU Presidency next year. On the bilateral front, the Prime Minister underlined the need for reinvigorating of ties between Pakistan and Portugal through enhanced comprehensive partnership. He called for regular high level exchanges and people to people contact between the two countries to foster stronger political, economic and cultural relations between the two countries. Foreign Minister of Portugal Luis Amado agreed with Prime Minister for adding new dimension to the bilateral relations by putting in place institutional frameworks and enhanced contacts between the two countries. In the context of EU, the Foreign Minister said that Portugal will be supporting Pakistan as it is playing a pivotal role in the region adding that his country will use its goodwill with Spain to encourage it to host the second Pakistan EU Summit. He also pledged his countrys support for providing Pakistan greater market access for its products and for exploring the possibility of FTA between EU and Pakistan.
