European Union Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs Ylva Johanssonhas lauded Pakistan’s role in controlling cross-border terrorism,smuggling, and trafficking and expressed the EU’s intent for “deepercooperation” in the area of border management.
At a joint press stakeout with State Minister for Foreign Affairs HinaRabbani Khar in Islamabad on Monday, the EU official said Pakistan was“performing well” in checking cross-border crimes.
Johansson, who arrived in Islamabad on Sunday on a two-day visit, heldmeetings with government representatives and authorities on matterspertaining to migration, mobility dialogue, and security cooperation.
EU Commissioner Johansson said her meetings with the officials of FrontierCorps and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) during her visit to Peshawarfocused on the fight against terrorism and organized crimes, and also onthe border management activities along with the Pak-Afghan border.
She mentioned that she was “impressed” by the steps taken by Pakistan’sborder management authorities, which illustrated the country’s effectiveapproach.
Terming Pakistan a “very important and strategic partner”, she said the EUwas committed to further building on the 60 years of relations in diverseareas including trade.
The EU, she said, intended to launch a comprehensive dialogue with Pakistanon issues pertaining to migration and mobility.
“The EU and Pakistan have a good base and energy to cooperate not only oncontrolling illegal migration but to explore the possibilities forlegalized migration of skilled workforce,” she said.
She mentioned in this regard the EU’s “aging society” that needed a freshworkforce equipped with contemporary skills.
On the Afghan refugees in Pakistan, Johansson lauded the generosity of thehost country, adding that the EU was experiencing a similar challenge withfour million Ukrainian migrants.
She said the EU stood ready in extending its cooperation to deal with theAfghan refugees.
To a question on the killing of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif inKenya, she said the freedom of expression remained of utmost importance andfundamental to democracy.
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State Minister Khar said Pakistan gave high importance to a sustainedengagement with the EU for a promised development, including the progresson GSP Plus.
In her meeting with EU Commissioner, she said both sides agreed to work inthe area of migration and mobility.
Khar said Pakistan was working to minimize the possibility of illegalmigration, however simultaneously required to “open doors for legalizedmigration and an infrastructure for producing skilled workforce”.
She said Pakistan with its 65 percent young population was well-placedtoday to provide the EU skilled workforce in various areas, includinginformation technology.
To a question, if Pakistan would consider extending the deadline for thestay of Afghan refugees, she said the matter needed a long-term policy,which was not dependent on approvals by the cabinet.
Khar said Pakistan did not seek acknowledgment from the internationalcommunity for its generosity in hosting over four million Afghan refugees.The act, she said, is being done out of sheer global responsibility.
She stressed the need for the world to ‘parachute the Afghans towardssafety’ and added that Pakistan was pursuing its objective of creating anenvironment of peace for the Afghan people.
To a question on evidence collection in the Arshad Sharif case, she saidfollowing the “unfortunate incident”, an investigation team was immediatelysent to Kenya. Also, Pakistan’s ambassador to Kenya put her best effort tofacilitate the transportation of the journalist’s body to home, she said.
Khar said it was not useful to cast aspersions at this stage, adding that“we will get to the bottom and the journalist community deserves theclosure of the case”.
