ISLAMABAD, Feb 8: The European Union is concerned at the increasing number of disappearances and torture incidents which are tarnishing the image of Pakistan, globally.

The visiting EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Gijs M. de Vries expressed this during a press conference on Thursday. He declined to give a count of forced disappearances and the response of Pakistani authorities when he raised the issue with them but remarked: “Torture breeds torture.”

The EU, he said, would not welcome the mining of Pakistan-Afghanistan border as it will aggravate the living conditions of the population, adding: “The EU will help Pakistan in fortifying the border as it values Islamabad’s commitment on combating terrorism.”

“We acknowledge our ties with the country, he said asserting that though it was moderate but bores the brunt of terrorism as a frontline state.”

It is of utter importance that Islamabad strengthened its relations with the EU he said, but avoided specifying the options. He stressed upon joint training and improvement in threat assessment skills.

Gijs M. de Vries was appreciative of the efforts in checking the cross-border movement but noted: There always is a room for improvement for which EU is ready to engage between Islamabad and Kabul.

Regarding thousands of troops stationed in Afghanistan, the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator expressed the hope that its partners would do all they can to minimise the risks to the lives of troops.

About the North and South Waziristan peace agreements, he said, these need to be fully implemented for addressing the problem of cross-border movement.