Addressing a joint press conference with Pakistan’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Inamul Haq, the European Union representative said his meetings with President Gen Pervez Musharraf and the foreign minister were “very good”.
He praised President Musharraf for “taking very brave measures” and appreciated Pakistan’s contribution to the international coalition’s war on terrorism.
Solana, however, indulged in polite diplomatic evasions when asked pointed questions about the outcome of his talks with the two countries.
“Our wish is that there be a dialogue and de-escalation as soon as possible because they are both very important countries but it is not for us to tell India and Pakistan how to de-escalate,” the EU’s top official said, implicitly conveying the message that the EU was not ready to play a pro-active role in reducing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
While remaining non-committal about the EU’s role in putting an end to the current standoff between the two South Asian rivals, he hoped that the two sides would do more. He was careful not to put the onus on any one side.
Solana’s tone and response to most questions signalled that his talks with both the countries had not yielded the desired results and that immediate de-escalation was not on the cards.
On a question whether the EU had asked India why it was refusing to resume dialogue with Pakistan that had been consistently pushing for, he maintained: “The will for dialogue is present in both countries.”
Asked why the EU refused to act as a mediator in Pakistan-India conflict when it was playing that role in the Middle East, he said in the Middle East, the EU had been engaged for quite a long time.
Responding to a question on the UN resolution pertaining to Kashmir, Solana said: “As members of the United Nations we respect and support all UN resolutions in principle but it is not for us to say how India and Pakistan should solve the problem.”
In reply to another question, Solana said the forthcoming elections in Indian occupied Kashmir were not a solution to the Kashmir issue but could contribute to it.
Inamul Haq told reporters at the outset that the EU official had appreciated what he described as “substantive and constructive” steps taken by Pakistan to promote peace in the region.
Solana avoided giving specifics about the positions taken by leaders of the two countries during his discussions with them. However, Inamul Haq intervened to say that Indian leaders and spokesperson had made public statements that India was not contemplating any de-escalatory moves. The top official for foreign and security policy of the 15-nation bloc seemed more comfortable talking about EU’s bilateral relations with Pakistan than the latter’s standoff with India.
Solana said he held “good introductory discussions” about the situation in Afghanistan with leaders of the two countries.
The EU representative reciprocated Mr Haq’s sentiments that Pakistan valued much the multi-faceted and long-standing relationship with the EU, and hoped that their ties would strengthen further.
Solana arrived here on Saturday morning from New Delhi where he held talks with India’s Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani and External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha.