26 January 2005	Wednesday	15 Zilhaj 1425

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BRUSSELS, Jan 25: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in his talks with key European Union leaders on Tuesday promised stronger ties between Pakistan and the EU and said Islamabad was working for peace with its neighbours.

Mr Aziz called for a 'level playing field' in international economic relations, stressing that improved access to EU markets was crucial for Pakistan's drive to create jobs, fight poverty and combat extremism.

EU officials, meanwhile, praised Pakistan's role in the region but pressed Islamabad to sign a so-called 'readmission agreement' under which Pakistanis living in Europe illegally could be repatriated to their country.

"We believe engaging the EU is very important for Pakistan," the prime minister told reporters after talks with EU foreign and security policy chief Javier Solana. "Pakistan and the EU have supported each other...we are looking for a peaceful world," he said.

Mr Solana in turn appreciated Pakistan's efforts at political reform. "We have got good guarantees...that the (democratic) process in Pakistan will continue," he said.

EU diplomats said that talks had focused on a broad range of issues with Mr Aziz highlighting Pakistan's improving relations with Afghanistan and India. The prime minister backed the EU's policy of engagement and dialogue with Iran on nuclear issues.

Pakistan was committed to a 'strong, stable and economically vibrant' Afghanistan, Mr Aziz said, adding that bilateral trade between Islamabad and Kabul now stood at one billion dollars a year and that Pakistan had helped ensure Afghanistan's recent presidential elections.

He vowed that measures to upgrade Pakistan's relations with India would continue. "We are taking a step at a time in the right direction," he said, adding that Islamabad and Delhi were working to set up an energy corridor allowing the delivery of Iranian gas supplies to India.

The European Commission also voiced support for Pakistan. In a statement, EC President Jose Manuel Barroso said: "Pakistan is a key partner for the EU, and we appreciate the very positive role Pakistan has played in enhancing stability in this important region."

EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said approval of the new EU-Pakistan Agreement last year sent a strong political signal of support to Islamabad.

"We have followed reconciliation efforts with India with great interest and look to both countries to stay the course, as this will bring tremendous benefits to the region," Ms Ferrero-Waldner said, adding that she commended the Pakistani premier for the very constructive role Pakistan had played during the presidential elections in Afghanistan.

EU trade chief Peter Mandelson highlighted Pakistan's "important role in the World Trade Organization negotiations as a bridge-builder between different constituencies". But officials said the trade chief could give no commitment on Pakistan's long-running battle to get access to the EU's 'GSP Plus' scheme for duty free access to exporters. "Pakistan has to fit our criteria, otherwise the GSP system would not be transparent or fair," an EU trade official told Dawn.

The EU has said that countries eligible for the GSP Plus benefits must sign a number of international conventions covering labour standards and human rights. Pakistan argues that its fight against global terrorism justifies additional trade benefits.

On Wednesday, Mr Aziz is scheduled to make the first visit by a Pakistani leader to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) headquarters. Alliance officials said they expected that talks with Mr Aziz would focus on Afghanistan, where Nato was seeking to expand its 8,000-strong peacekeeping mission. The question of Nato transit facilities through Pakistan is also expected to be on the agenda.