President Zardari urges dismantling of terrorist safe hideouts in Afghanistan

President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed grave concern over the recent attacks on Pakistani border posts by terrorists from across Afghanistan and brutal killings of Pakistani soldiers, calling for effective measures to pull down militant hideouts in the neighboring country.

Expressing these views during his meeting with Michael Gahler, member European Union (EU), he reiterated his call for early operation of the EU’s Autonomous Trade Preferences (ATPs) and Pakistan’s inclusion in GSP+ Scheme.

At the same time, President Zardari offered thanks to EU for its decision to grant trade concessions to Pakistan in the aftermath of devastating floods.

He anticipated that the the ATP Package would soon be implemented to help Pakistan’s economy recover from the losses suffered from floods during the last two years.

He observed, “Pakistan’s textile and clothing industry was facing serious obstacles due to high tariffs in the EU market, especially when many of its competitors already have duty free access to the EU market”.

Welcoming European Parliament’s decision to revise GSP scheme recommending upward revision of import vulnerability criterion from 1% to 2%, the president said Pakistan had ratified all 27 international conventions mandatory for becoming eligible for duty free access to EU through this scheme.

He noted, “Pakistan has also withdrawn most of reservations against the two conventions i.e. International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention Against Torture”.

The president also underscored that trade instead of aid was the most sustainable option for the country in wake of huge economic cost of the ongoing war against terror and the devastating floods.

In his view, greater trade access to Pakistan in EU markets would help the country counter terrorism in line with the government’s three-pronged policy of development, dialogue and deterrence.

He also pointed out the issue of fisheries urging for an early resumption of fisheries exports from Pakistan to EU. Fisheries establishments from Pakistan were de-listed by EU in 2007 due to food safety standard concerns.

The president urged the European Union to initiate FTA negotiations with Pakistan.

Discussing bilateral relations and mutual cooperation, the president appreciated EU’s budgetary support to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh for improving primary and secondary education.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Aug 30 2012. Filed under National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.