KARACHI, July 17: Ambassador of Federal Republic of Germany Dr Gunter Mulack has underlined the need to develop cooperation between Muslim world and Europe beyond dialogue to have more understanding and respect.

Despite all concerted efforts for a systematic dialogue in the aftermath of Sept 11 on all sides, relationship and trust have reached ''lowest point” yet despite all efforts, necessary trust which is basis for dialogue and cultural interaction has diminished,'' he said while speaking on ''Islam and the West -- how to improve relations'' at a meeting of the English Speaking Union of Pakistan on Monday evening in Karachi also addressed by its President Hussain Haroon and Vice President Byram Avari.

''In current climate of fear, anger and frustration, we are witnessing a situation in which gulf between these civilizations (Islam & West) is growing wider almost everyday.

''The situation in Iraq and Afghanistan is deteriorating. The warlike operations of Israeli army in Gaza and in Lebanon give us very much concern about further battles and bloodshed in the Middle East. Media reports show growing violence daily and raise fear of more clashes. More has to be done to improve relationship,'' he stressed.

Dr Mulack said in his visits to Arab and Muslim world, he witnessed desire for real dialogue, cooperation and willingness to find a durable solution to improve knowledge about other cultures, as well as improving trust and acceptance that ''we are different in many points. We should recognize we have many value concepts in common.”

''The approach must be undertaken in the spirit of establishing these common grounds without becoming apologetic or over-harmonious. We must stop accusing each other and start listening to others viewpoint. We in West must realise that our partners in Muslim world feel victimised by perceived double standards in our policies and by perceived lack of justice,'' he stated.

He said Germany was first European country which established a task force for dialogue and cultural cooperation with Muslim world. The analysis after September 11 was that perceived victimisation of Muslim world, double standards in politics, arrogance of a super power have created ''a dangerous mixture of frustrations and anger.

''The threat of globalisation, feeling of not achieving, deterioration of standing of Muslim world, failure of educational and social systems, lack of freedom and democracy and other factors are contributing to this general malaise in Muslim world.

Dr Mulack called for joining hands to actively overcome this negative situation. ''If we want to achieve better understanding and tolerance, we have to refrain from preaching hatred or giving stereotyped pictures of the other as enemy. We must focus on inter- societal dialogue and cultural interaction. Dialogue with Muslim communities has become more important and is being discussed everywhere. Germany will institutionalize dialogue with its Muslim communities starting in September 2006.''

He urged Pakistan to invest even more into building up a knowledge-based society and higher quality education. ''This is indeed right way to proceed if we want to overcome deepening rift between West and other world and if we want to find a better cooperation and understanding to the benefit of all sides. It is late, but still not too late to look into innovative very concrete ways of cooperation, starting to implement them.''

—PPI