The European Conservatives and Reformists group deputy chairman Timothy Kirkhope has called for a permanent new trading relationship between the EU and Pakistan.
The British MEP's demand for the flood-stricken country, was made during a debate with EU council president Herman Van Rompuy parliamentary session in Strasbourg on Wednesday
His plea comes after EU heads of government last week agreed time-limited reductions in trade barriers.
Kirkhope's comments received a positive response from Maroš Šefcovic, vice-president of the European commission, who said, "Our role... was only the first steps in how to help Pakistan. We have to combine the humanitarian aid with improving of trade access of Pakistani products to the European market.
"We will take measures that we can take as quickly as possible which have to be compatible with WTO rules. But we are also looking at ways to evaluate the Pakistani eligibility to GSP+ for 2014, which would be a measure of our long-term which will help Pakistani's speedy and successful recovery."
In his speech to parliament Kirkhope said, "I want to draw the attention of parliament to the council's declaration on Pakistan, a fellow commonwealth partner of three of the EU member states and a strategic ally of the EU.
"We welcome the progress that is now being made to provide emergency aid for Pakistan and we are pleased that the council agreed that a comprehensive package of measures for Pakistan's recovery and future development is required.
"The long-term future of the developing world rests on the ability of each nation to create a robust, dynamic, trading economy.
"I believe the intention to grant to Pakistan increased market access through the immediate reduction of duties on key imports to the EU is an important step, even though I regret that the policy will need to be time-limited rather than becoming the rule.
"Nonetheless the call to establish a major new trade partnership between Europe and Pakistan was a bold proposal by the UK prime minister David Cameron which has been pursued with determination by the UK coalition's trade minister, Ed Davey.
"I fear though that the need to take into account 'industrial sensitivities', referred to in the declaration, will turn a dramatic initiative into a timid half-measure. Given the plight of the people of Pakistan such a betrayal would be a disgrace.
"We will therefore be watching closely to ensure that the ambition of the declaration is not thwarted by selfish protectionism."
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