BRUSSELS: Pakistan and the European Union on Wednesday vowed to kick-start a strategic dialogue covering security, aid, trade and measures to promote democracy.

The European Commission — the EU’s executive arm — said it would give an additional 72 million euros in emergency humanitarian assistance to people displaced by the military offensive against the Taliban.

At a first-ever summit with Pakistan, EU leaders promised to consider entering into a free trade agreement with Pakistan as an ‘option in the long term’ and said the focus would also be on short-term measures to help Islamabad diversify exports and attract investments.

They signalled strong EU support for consolidating democracy and fighting extremism in the country.

The meeting brought President Asif Ali Zardari face to face with President Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic, representing the current EU presidency, as well as Jose Manuel Barroso, head of the European Commission, and Javier Solana, High Representative for the EU’s foreign policy.

Later in his talks with Nato officials, Mr Zardari said his government was determined to fight the Taliban. ‘My army’s determination to fight is there, my people’s determination to fight is there, and defeat is not an option for us.’

At the EU summit, President Klaus said he was ‘impressed’ by the Pakistani leader’s commitment to fighting the Taliban. ‘We see a visible change compared to the past,’ said Mr Klaus. ‘The EU will continue to assist Pakistan in its fight against both insurgency and economic crisis while boosting significantly our humanitarian aid,’ said Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

The commission chief said that on trade, the EU was looking at ‘adequate measures’ to help improve Pakistan’s access to European markets. But support for any changes in market access would be needed from all 27 EU member states and signatories to the World Trade Organisation, he added.

Mr Barroso and EU foreign policy chief Solana said relations with Pakistan were now set at a ‘strategic level’. The two also welcomed Islamabad’s resolve in challenging the Taliban.

‘We are impressed by his commitment...to make Pakistan a democracy, but also to avoid Pakistan becoming a source of conflict and terror in other parts of the world,’ said Mr Solana.

Mr Zardari told reporters he had received ‘positive assurances that no dictator will be welcomed in the halls of the EU’.

The EU’s engagement with Pakistan would continue on a regular basis, he said, adding that he was ‘very satisfied’ with Europe’s appetite to help Pakistan.

The first EU-Pakistan summit also resulted in both sides agreeing to start a ‘dialogue’ to improve Pakistan’s counter-terrorism capabilities, notably in the field of law enforcement and criminal justice. They agreed that it was particularly important to support Pakistan’s police force.

The summit represented an ‘important and positive step in strengthening relations,’ according to both sides. A six-page joint statement issued at the end of the meeting said the EU and Pakistan recognised that ‘terrorism, extremism and militancy represent serious threats to international peace and security and should be eliminated and terrorist organisations prevented from recruiting’.

The EU leaders acknowledged ‘the resolve and the sacrifices which the Pakistani people and security forces are making in confronting these issues’, and expressed confidence that a ‘successful outcome of the security and law enforcement operations would help assure prosperity to the people of Pakistan and greatly strengthen the democratically elected government in achieving its political and development objectives’.

The statement underlined the importance of an integrated long-term strategy, which includes social economic development, civilian law enforcement structures and the rule of law, ‘in order to secure the gains of the present security measures on a permanent basis’.

DIALOGUE ON TERRORISM: The summit stressed the need for assisting Pakistan’s police force in the fight against militancy, with both sides agreeing to start a regular counter-terrorism dialogue.

The parties also acknowledged the significance of countering extremism, particularly through education, civil society and mass media communication.

Recognising the challenge posed by the millions of people displaced by the military offensive against the Taliban, EU governments agreed on the need for more humanitarian and development assistance for Pakistan.

The two sides discussed the need for a comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction plan, with EU leaders assuring Pakistan that they stand ready to provide further assistance in relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

Talks also focussed on the need for greater regional cooperation to combat terrorism, the importance of encouraging intra-regional trade and the normalisation of ties with India.

The EU welcomed Pakistan’s transition to democratic civilian rule, but also stressed the need to support efforts at electoral reform and urged action to integrate women and minorities into the country’s social, economic and political structures.

Discussions on trade did not result in any breakthrough, although the EU did promise to jointly work with Pakistan ‘towards further liberalisation of trade in goods and services with the aim to mutually enhance market access and convergence on regulatory matters’.

According to the statement, they also agreed to ‘step up a dedicated dialogue alongside existing working level contacts in order to enhance the bilateral trade relationship, including through a possible free trade agreement’.

‘In the short-term, the EU and Pakistan will continue to review trade obstacles, and the EU will continue to assist Pakistan to meet the EU’s sanitary and phytosanitary requirements for fishery and other products,’ the statement said.

‘The EU will explore how aspects of the EU’s preferential tariff regime (GSP plus) might be looked at in the context of the preparation of the next GSP regulation, thereby allowing new beneficiaries, including possibly Pakistan, to take advantage of this scheme.’

The new Commission humanitarian aid package covers supplies of food, water/sanitation, shelter, cooking equipment and health care. Relief will be delivered by specialised UN agencies, the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement and non-governmental relief organisations.

Beyond the emergency response, the commission has earmarked 485 million euros in development support for five years.

AFP adds: ‘With the help of the world we will win this, and half the war is the hearts and minds of the people,’ Mr Zardari told reporters in Brussels, referring to his country’s war against militants.

‘What I need is trade, not aid. I’m looking for MoUs (memorandum of understandings) and not IOUs and I intend to get them,’ he added after talks with Nato ambassadors.

‘I’m always hopeful, I’m a man who has walked from the gallows to the presidency,’ said Mr Zardari whose rise to the presidency last September came after he fought off charges of corruption and murder.