KARACHI, Sept 17: There is no change in Pakistan’s policy with regard to recognition of Israel.

This was stated by the former foreign secretary, Niaz A. Naik, while speaking at the working sessions of the two-day internal seminar on “US-European relations in contemporary international setting: implications for the developing world”.

The seminar is being organized by the Karachi University’s Area Study Centre for Europe, in collaboration with the Hans Seidel Foundation.

Responding to remarks by keynote speaker Ghada Karmi about a likely change in Pakistan’s foreign policy on the question of according recognition to Israel, Mr Naik said: “Pakistan is committed to the principles spelt out by the OIC.”

“This includes establishment of a truly independent Palestinian entity with Jerusalem as its capital. Unless the objectives of the OIC are achieved, Pakistan cannot consider that option.”

He said: “Even the people of Pakistan will not accept this.”

His presentation was on American and European perceptions on WMD and terrorism.

He was of the view that events of 9/11 have profoundly put an impact on the global geo-strategic relationships.

Another foreign secretary Mr Najmuddin Shaikh discussed American isolationism and interventionism.

While tracing the evolution of US policies since its independence, Mr Shaikh said American people have been traumatized by the events of 9/11 and the sense of vulnerability it created.

“They still seem to have a touching faith, in the policies that the Bush Administration is following to eliminate terrorism. They are prepared to accept that it will be a long struggle,” he said, adding it enabled the neo-conservatives to push their agenda.

Dr Rashid Ahmed Khan compared European colonialism and American unilateralism.

Dr Andreas Rieck said that American invasion of Iraq had fully exposed the newly-emerged differences between the US and a number of European countries, both at the government and at the popular levels.

Brussels-based expert Shadaba Islam said in contrast to American unilateralism, most Europeans believe in a multipolar world and in multilateral institutions, like the UN and the WTO. She also spoke on the European initiative for developing a European defence mechanism.

The turbulent world in which we live makes it imperative that the US and the EU work as partners rather than rivals in developing countries. But it is equally vital that the EU continues to strike an independent path.

Ambassador Zahid Said spoke about the policies and approaches of the US and the major European states towards the UN. He also examined the impact of these policies and approaches on the emerging international order in the 21st century.

Journalist Zubaida Mustafa maintained that peace movement in Europe would not change the direction of American unilateralism.

“The European governments’ thrust towards peace can at best have a moderating effect on American foreign policy.”

In today’s sessions Prof (Emeritus) Dr Werner Link spoke about various post-Iraq war trans-Atlantic scenarios and said this relationship was at a critical juncture. He was critical of imperialist tendencies in the US foreign policy.

Mr Ross Masood presented Dr Emil Kirchner’s paper on European perspective on security threats and institutional response.

The two sessions were presided over by Shahida Jamil and Talat Wizarat, chairperson of the IR department, Karachi University.