April 19, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 12, 1429

ISLAMABAD, April 18: European Union’s foreign policy chief Javier Solana is arriving here on Tuesday with the new agenda of promoting closer cooperation with the newly elected government.

“EU is intent on stepping up contacts with the new government in Pakistan,” a diplomatic source said.

This will be the first visit to Pakistan by a top diplomat of the European Union.EU has been upbeat about its relations with Pakistan since the February 18 elections.

With the installation of new government, the EU leadership sees a new opportunity in upgrading its relations, the source said.

Mr Solana would be meeting President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Increasing in assistance for Pakistan, providing Pakistani products greater access to European markets and the Pakistan-EU Joint Commission would be some of the issues featuring at the talks.

The EU is not only Pakistans largest trading partner with the annual volume of trade of $9 billion, but also the largest foreign investor and development cooperation partner.