BRUSSELS, Feb 23: European Union foreign ministers pledged on Monday to keep a close watch on Pakistan's nuclear plan, and said they would continue to press Islamabad to accept international nuclear safeguards.

In a wide-ranging discussion of relations with Islamabad, EU ministers also promised help in building closer India-Pakistan ties, spotlighted Pakistan's demands for a quick ratification of a trade agreement with the EU and for the first time recognised the need to tackle Islamabad's growing number of trade and anti-dumping problems.

The nuclear part of the ministerial discussions were kept confidential but diplomats told Dawn the harshest words on Pakistan's nuclear stance came from Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller who said worries over Pakistan's nuclear programme - and the fact that Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was probably still hiding in the country's mountains - were giving him sleepless nights.

Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen, however, noted Islamabad's "surprising openness to discuss difficult issues in a constructive manner." "I think we should engage more on a regular basis with Pakistan, specially on nuclear proliferation and counter-terrorism," diplomats quoted Cowen as telling his EU counterparts.

The Irish minister, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, also urged the bloc's governments to solve current bilateral trade problems with Pakistan, noting that "these are very important for the country."

Mr Cowen also promised to inform the European Parliament on Pakistan's demands for a quick ratification of a trade agreement signed with the EU. A formal statement of ministers voiced strong support for improving ties between India and Pakistan.