November 25, 2001	Sunday	Ramazan 9, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: The European Union and Pakistan government signed an agreement on Saturday to reinforce political cooperation. The two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for preferential trade package, envisaging a reduction in tariffs and increase in Pakistan’s textile quotas.

“The European Union and Pakistan warmly welcome the signature of a cooperation agreement that will substantially contribute to strengthening their relationship,” said a joint statement issued after meeting of President Gen Pervez Musharraf with Belgian Prime Minister and European Union President Guy Verhofstadt and European Commission President Romano Prodi.

Both Pakistan and the EU urged the international community to speed up efforts for finding a political solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.

“The recent events lend urgency to the need for the international community to take steps for ensuring peace, stability and reconstruction in Afghanistan,” the statement said.

Later, speaking at a joint press conference, Mr Verhofstadt called for early revival of dialogues process between Pakistan and India to resolve the Kashmir issue and remove other irritants.

“The time has come and global climate is rife that Kashmir issue should be resolved,” he said.

Mr Verhofstadt, who heads an EU delegation which visited New Delhi before arriving here on Saturday morning, said that he conveyed same message to the Indian leaders.

He said the Kashmir dispute had been outstanding for the last 53 years and its re-solution was imperative for the development of good relations between Pakistan and India.

The Belgian premier said he believed that President Musharraf was in favour of taking up a broad agenda with India where all issues could be discussed.

“The cooperation between India and Pakistan could be a good basis for future of the region,” he said.

President Musharraf said the Belgian prime minister informed him that there was an impression in India that Agra summit failed because he focused only on Kashmir issue.

Pakistan, he added, was in favour of tackling each and every issue but focus must be on Kashmir.

To a question that India had been accusing Pakistan of sponsoring cross-border terrorism, President Musharraf said all these three words were being wrongly used.

He pointed out that it was not a border in Kashmir, it was line of control, so, therefore, there was no question of ‘cross-border’ and it was also not terrorism but freedom struggle.

He said that those struggling for implementation of UN Security Council resolution were not indulging in terrorism but the state was perpetrating terrorism by defying UN resolution, which called for holding of plebiscite.

The Belgian prime minister when asked about his views on struggle in Kashmir, said they were opposed to violence and it must come to an end.

“The year 2002 may be the year for resolution of Kashmir issue,” he said, adding that after Sept 11, the global environment had changed and all the disputes should be resolved through political dialogue.

Earlier, President Musharraf in his opening statement said that he had very productive and extensive discussion with the European Union delegation on all bilateral issues, current situation in Afghanistan, its fallout on Pakistan and Kashmir issue.

He said there was a proximity of views between them on setting up a broad-based and multi-ethnic administration in Afghanistan, which could usher into an era of reconstruction and development.

Pakistan, he added, welcomed the UN initiative to convene a meeting of Afghan groups in Bonn. He urged the international community to stand firmly to its commitment to reconstruction of Afghanistan.

He called upon the world community to play their role in resolution of Kashmir issue, which, he added, was essential for economic progress of the region.

The Belgian prime minister said that the first article of the political cooperation agreement was concerned with the protection and respect of human rights.

He said President Musharraf reaffirmed his commitment to return to democracy in October 2002. “EU welcomes this commitment,” he said.

A journalist, travelling with Belgian prime minister asked Gen Musharraf whether Osama bin Laden was in Pakistan. President Musharraf denied, saying they had taken all possible measures to ensure that he would not cross into Pakistan.

He said army troops had been deployed on border. Moreover local tribal leaders were also cooperating to keep a vigil on the border.