By Tazeen Akhtar
European Union will issue a third review report on how Pakistan is in line with 27 International Conventions of GSP + or not in the beginning of year 2020. Pakistani exports to EU member countries increased by 55% since 2014 thanks to this preferential trade concession status and if Pakistan makes positive progress in the implementations of these conventions, more opportunities of trade and exports are waiting for its business community.
This was stated by Ambassador of the European Union, H.E Jean-Francois CAUTAIN in Meet the Press arranged by Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) Islamabad Chapter at National Press Club. Ambassador visited the memorial of martyred journalists in the line of duty and planted a sapling to pay homage to them.
Editor Pakistan in the World Mr. Tazeen Akhtar opened the meet with his introductory remarks on EU-Pakistan Relations. He said we can see more achievements than some challenges like FATF and Abolition of Death Penalty. Tazeen Akhtar appreciated Ambassador CAUTAIN’s efforts in bridging the gaps and most importantly contribution in highlighting the soft image of Pakistan by hosting 3 consecutive Euro Village Festivals in Islamabad from 2017 to 2019. He said that these were not only the recreations at the start of spring season but actually they were strong message to the world that Pakistan is a safe and secure country. He asked the participants to give Ambassador CAUTAIN as well as all participatory countries ambassadors of EU a warm applause as a sign of appreciation and gratitude.
Ambassador in his address threw light on the bilateral engagements and pointed out some grey areas that need to be taken up in the vast interest of Pakistan itself.
Ambassador has spent more than 11 years as a whole on different assignments in Pakistan. He traveled through the length and breadth of Pakistan to have better and close observation about the country. Matter of satisfaction is that he had pleasant experiences most often with only a few exceptions.
Ambassador CAUTAIN said that GSP + is a gift from the European citizens to Pakistan for 10 years. EU is importing mainly textile, leather items, foot wear, sportswear and surgical instruments from Pakistan. He suggested business community to explore more avenues that still exist. In return Pakistan is supposed to properly implement all 27 international conventions attached to GSP +. EU Parliament will review the progress of Pakistan on these conventions and we expect more positive development from Pakistan.
Ambassador said that EU and Pakistan have successfully completed the first 5 year engagement plan in 2017 that enhanced the cooperation if a variety of fields like education, health, vocational training, rural development, capacity building in governance etc. A new plan of Strategic Engagement has been developed and agreed upon by both parties on June 25 when MFA Shah Mehmood Qureshi visited Brussels and met with EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.
The Strategic Engagement Plan for cooperation covers several areas including trade, peace and security, migrant issues and anti-money laundering measures. MFA Qureshi termed the Plan as a long-term resolve to further boost cooperation between Pakistan and the EU. The framework includes promoting mutual peace and prosperity, trade and investment, sustainable development, energy, education and culture and addressing migrant issues. It will enhance military to military cooperation and it is not time bound but open ended.
Regarding death penalty abolition, Ambassador clarified that EU does not ask for it because of GSP+ in which the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights asks countries still applying death penalty to make sure that it is limited to the most serious crimes and the result of a due process. The EU requests to abolish death penalty is purely on principle stand that death penalty is inhuman and degradation,not a deterrent and judicial systems have always faults that can pave the way for hanging an innocent person. He gave example of a case in Pakistan in which the Supreme Court exonerated the accused of murder, when they were already hanged. “Apprehensions of mistake cannot be over ruled even where there are the best judicial systems exist” Ambassador continued.
Reference of one such case (https://www.dawn.com/news/1291838)
Ambassador further said that most of the countries have implemented moratorium on death penalty. Pakistan got exception for terrorism here. But the history has proved that it is not necessary that if you restore death penalty the terrorism will be controlled. Experiences from many countries have proved this theory wrong because despite the restoration of death penalty they could not eliminate terrorism.
Press freedom is the priority of European Union. To a question in this regard, Ambassador replied “Press Media should be in a position that it can report what is happening and what is being done. Media freedom is a pillar of any strong democracy and there cannot be any short cut on it”
Regarding FATF, Ambassador replied to a question that Pakistan needs to fulfill the conditions for its own interest. “It is necessary for Pakistan, not only for the world.” Ambassador emphasized.
Mr CAUTAIN was asked how SAARC can walk into footsteps of EU and how India and Pakistan can live like Germany and France. He answered “It is possible if there is strong political leadership on both sides which would be willing to go even against their own public opinions to promote Peace. Pakistan India can live in harmony like Germany and France are living after WW1 and WW2.”
Heritage conservation is another area where EU is working with Pakistan. To a question in this regard Ambassador said that “We are exploring with UNESCO how local communities could be involved in the conservation of sites like Mohenjo Daro Sindh and other places. Recently I felt real sad when I visited Mehr Garh enroute from Quetta to Karachi. It is in dilapidated condition. I learnt from there that there are two tribes who are at dispute and that is the reason of the bad condition of this historical place. We need to know that heritage is not the asset of one country; it is asset of whole humanity that should be saved for next generations.
12 July 2019
