EU-Pakistan: a crucial summit
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Dawn, Pakistan
By Shada Islam
Saturday, 13 Jun, 2009
EXPECT no miracles. The first-ever summit between the EU and Pakistan in Brussels on June 17 will not lead to an overnight change in what is still a relatively desultory and uninspiring relationship.
To some extent, the meeting is the message. The summit certainly marks a long-awaited recognition by the 27-nation EU of Pakistan’s ‘stand alone’ strategic importance — and not only because of the challenge of stabilising Afghanistan. But symbolism alone is no longer an option. The EU and Pakistan have to move from rhetoric to joint action in order to combat the spreading insurgency, consolidate Pakistan’s weak civilian institutions and improve living conditions in the country through upgraded EU trade and aid concessions.
Read More
By Shada Islam
Saturday, 13 Jun, 2009
EXPECT no miracles. The first-ever summit between the EU and Pakistan in Brussels on June 17 will not lead to an overnight change in what is still a relatively desultory and uninspiring relationship.
To some extent, the meeting is the message. The summit certainly marks a long-awaited recognition by the 27-nation EU of Pakistan’s ‘stand alone’ strategic importance — and not only because of the challenge of stabilising Afghanistan. But symbolism alone is no longer an option. The EU and Pakistan have to move from rhetoric to joint action in order to combat the spreading insurgency, consolidate Pakistan’s weak civilian institutions and improve living conditions in the country through upgraded EU trade and aid concessions.
Read More
Labels: EU Pak Summit, War on Terror
posted @ 10:11 AM,
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