Both Europe and Pakistan are built on the same values
Sajjad Karim
British MEP Sajjad Karim has called on the EU and Pakistan to "engage more positively" with each other.
Speaking in parliament, the ECR member said, "There is a need to engage more positively with Pakistan, and there is a need for Pakistan to engage more positively with the EU.
"It is positive to see new efforts being made to address this issue with the EU increasing funding packages to mitigate current instability and also agreeing to strengthen dialogue with its five year engagement plan."
Karim was addressing a meeting of parliament's Friends of Pakistan group, which he chairs.
The meeting focused on the subject of countering violent extremism and closer relations between Pakistan and the EU.
Speakers included high-profile diplomats and key players in the fields of international relations, security and counter-terrorism.
In recent times, the EU has significantly upgraded its relationship with Pakistan.
The first EU-Pakistan summit was held in 2009 and an EU trade concessions package was offered to Pakistan to help its textile industry after the devastating floods affected the country in 2010.
Karim said, "Cooperation between Pakistan and Europe is mutually beneficial, and parliament seeks only to highlight this growing tie.
"Both Europe and Pakistan are built on the same values of democracy, equality and freedom.
"The very same values are cherished in Pakistan; however the country is a front line state and these values are being sacrificed.
"The EU's programmes can influence and aid stability and transformation."
Karim has also raised concerns at the "lack of political will" to deal with the issue of self determination in Kashmir by the EU and US.
He called for "drastic urgency" to be taken by the international community to focus on the crisis in Kashmir, saying, "There is a big elephant in the room that no one is mentioning, and that elephant is the issue of Kashmir.
"If the international community do not address this issue, then it does not matter how genuine and sincere their concerns are for stability and security in the region, as stability and security will only come out through addressing the Kashmir issue."
