G8 focuses on stabilising Pakistan

[LahoreEstate]

Sunday, June 28, 2009
TRIESTE, Italy: The Group of Eight leading powers turned their attention on Saturday to stabilising Pakistan and Afghanistan in talks aimed at shoring up faltering efforts with some 30 regional players.

G8 foreign ministers said in a joint statement that they were “firmly committed” to supporting Afghanistan and Pakistan as “they confront grave security, humanitarian, counter-narcotics, terrorism and economic challenges.”

The foreign ministers of Afghanistan and Pakistan joined their counterparts from Central Asia, officials from aid organisations and the G8, but key player Iran decided to stay away.

Talks focussed on countering drug trafficking by strengthening border security in Afghanistan, which produces more than 90 per cent of the world’s opium, most of it grown in the troubled southern Helmand province.

During a separate meeting with the G8 on Friday, the foreign ministers of Afghanistan and Pakistan acknowledged that drug trafficking “remains a significant financial source for extremists” and called for more cooperation to combat the illicit trade.

“Insurgency and terrorist activities, narcotics trafficking, corruption, human rights violations and limited economic opportunities need to be tackled with resolve wherever they appear,” they said in a statement.

“The Group emphasised the importance of credible, inclusive and secure elections that reflect the will of the Afghan people,” said a statement from the group of 20 countries and organisations.

Also, foreign ministers from Group of Eight countries said on Saturday they supported the possibility of liberalising trade between the European Union and Pakistan.

The possibility was raised earlier this month at a summit between the EU and Pakistan, in which the parties agreed to step up trade talks with a view to liberalising market access and possibly adopting a free trade agreement.

The participants said in a statement on Saturday that they ìwelcomed the prospects of trade liberalisation.”

The statement said increased trade was crucial for the region’s development and called for stronger ties between countries in the area.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=22976