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| 24 April 2004 | Saturday | 03 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 |
Pact with EU ends uncertainty
BRUSSELS, April 23: The European Parliament's vote this week in favour of a new trade and cooperation agreement between the European Union and Pakistan marks the final and dramatic act of a long-running diplomatic saga between EU and Pakistan.
By endorsing the accord, the EU assembly has put an end to almost three years of uncertainty in Euro-Pakistan relations and ensured that Islamabad can establish strong relations with EU.
The chequered history of the EU-Pakistan accord reflects both ups and downs of Pakistani politics and changing EU perceptions of a country which many Europeans admit defies easy categorization.
The parliamentary vote certainly represents an important diplomatic victory for Pakistan which has battled long and hard to convince European governments that it is working hard to restore democracy and make peace with its neighbours.
But the Commission has promised to keep a close watch on Pakistan's human rights performance, with EU Commissioner Chris Patten ensuring MEPs that the agreement's human rights clause could be invoked by either side if required.
In fact, while endorsing the agreement, the Parliament recognized Pakistan's human rights failings in a separate resolution which denounced the continuing strong influence of the military in politics, the treatment of women, persistence of child labour and "consistent problems relating to the freedom of expression."
In the end, however, parliamentarians, like their governments, voted in favour of forging stronger contacts with a country which many described as a key regional player and important member in war against terrorism.
The pact will reinforce existing trade, business and political relations between the EU and Pakistan before EU's expansion on May 1 to 25 members. Although Islamabad is not expected to receive additional EU aid or trade benefits, the new pact will strengthen Pakistan's standing vis-a-vis key European institutions, including the Commission, the Parliament and the Council of Ministers.
This is especially important given the changing shape of the EU and the bloc's growing role in world affairs, including relations with Muslim countries. Stronger institutional relations with the EU will also help Pakistan to negotiate better trade terms for its exporters.
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