GSP Plus status: Over 25 EU members to support extension

Over 25 members of European Parliament (EP) including Vice President European Parliament Fabio Massimo and Chairman Foreign Affairs David Macallister EP member from Germany have announced to support Pakistan on the matter regarding extension in GSP Plus status.

They also called upon India to resolve Kashmir issue at the earliest and ensure provision of basic rights to the people of occupied Kashmir. On the invitation of Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, members of the European Parliament from UK Neena Gill will also visit Kartarpur, Nankana Sahib and Lahore.

According to a communiqué issued by Governor House, here on Wednesday, the Governor Sarwar along with EU-Pak Friendship Federation (Europe) President Chaudhry Pervez Iqbal held detailed meetings with Member European Parliament from Bulgaria Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Member of the European Parliament from England Gina Dowding, Member of the European Parliament from UK Anthea McIntyre, Member of the European Parliament from UK Claude Moraes, Member of the European Parliament from Greece Eva Kailli, Member of the European Parliament from Germany Petra Kammerevert, Member of the European Parliament from Germany David Macallister, Member of the European Parliament from Estonia Urmas Paet, former member of European Parliament Wajid Khan and other members of the European Parliament at Brussels.

During these meetings, matters pertaining to extension in GSP-Plus status for Pakistan, Pak-Europe trade, Kashmir issue and promotion of tourism were discussed at length.

The European Parliamentarians including Vice President European Parliament Fabio Massimo acknowledged Pakistan's efforts and sacrifices for establishment of peace and elimination of terrorism, and also announced their full support to Pakistan for extension in the GSP-Plus status by European Union.

About his visit to Europe, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar said that entire world community is supporting Pakistan's stance despite all negative propaganda by India against Pakistan and all the members of European Parliament have reposed confidence in the economic policies of Pakistan and they all are also stood with Pakistan.

Regarding Kashmir issue, the European Parliamentarians were of the view that Kashmiris must be given their rights and settlement of Kashmir issue is inevitable for regional peace. He said that two-way trade between Pakistan and Europe has increased equally and Pakistan has imported machinery from Europe by taking benefit of bilateral trade, while GSP Plus has also benefited Europe.