Europe opens up to Pakistan

EU froze relations with Pakistan following military coup

By Shada Islam in Brussels

The European Union (EU) is resuming political contacts with Pakistan after a year long freeze in relations following the military take-over in October last year.

A team of senior EU officials from France, Sweden and the European Commission will be in Pakistan on 20-21 November to take a close look at economic and political conditions in the country.

They will also press General Pervez Musharraf to restore democracy.

Concern over the rise of right-wing extremism in Pakistan

The EU officials stress that the visit does not mean the re-establishment of a full-fledged political dialogue between the two sides.

They say that the EU's ties with Pakistan will be normalised only when the military government restores democracy in the country or at least takes steps for its return.

New approach

But analysts say the EU initiative does mark the beginning of a new European approach to dealing with Pakistan following strains caused not just by the military coup but also by Islamabad's nuclear policy and what the EU sees as Pakistan's half-hearted efforts to combat child labour.

The contacts with the EU are important for Pakistan, given Europe's role in both the IMF and the World Bank.

France, as the current president of the EU, has succeeded in convincing its more sceptical partners of the dangers of isolating Pakistan and the need to re-open formal channels of communication with the military government.

Analysts say governments in Europe are keen to establish contacts with Pakistan because they are also worried about the rising power of religious extremists in the country and allegations that Pakistan is exporting terrorism to Central Asia and parts of the Middle East.

But the message from the EU team is expected to be blunt.

Pakistan will be urged to establish a road map for a return to democratic rule and to undertake much-needed economic reforms.

The EU mission will also review security and nuclear issues, including demands that Pakistan sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and improve relations with India.