ISLAMABAD - European Commissioner for Development to Pakistan Andris Piebalgs has said despite Indian opposition the deal between World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Pakistan to give Pakistani products access to European markets will be finalised.
After meeting with Pakistani businessmen on Saturday, Andris Piebalgs while addressing a news conference said due to specific circumstances in the aftermath of disastrous floods Pakistan has the right to get maximum access to the European markets.
Piebalgs said although European Union has approved GSP plus deal but Pakistan has to sign human rights convention under this deal.
He said European Union will give a grant of 25 million Euro to Pakistan next year that would be used especially on primary education projects. And apart from that it would also be used on good governance, he added.
To a question, he said GSP plus deal also relates to tax reforms in Pakistan. Only one or two million out of 180 million people in Pakistan pay tax which is too low. To another question, he said EU has not conditionalised these concessions to tax reforms in Pakistan. He, however, said Pakistan will have to introduce tax reforms and widen its tax network. He said EU appreciates Pakistan’s efforts to combat terror. He said European Union stands by Pakistan in its hour of need.
Earlier on Friday, Pakistan and European Union signed an agreement under which EU would provide Euro 225 million to Islamabad under the Multi-annual Indicative Programme 2011-2013 for rural and natural resource development and social welfare.
Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Development Drik Niebel and Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development had signed the agreement.
After meeting with Pakistani businessmen on Saturday, Andris Piebalgs while addressing a news conference said due to specific circumstances in the aftermath of disastrous floods Pakistan has the right to get maximum access to the European markets.
Piebalgs said although European Union has approved GSP plus deal but Pakistan has to sign human rights convention under this deal.
He said European Union will give a grant of 25 million Euro to Pakistan next year that would be used especially on primary education projects. And apart from that it would also be used on good governance, he added.
To a question, he said GSP plus deal also relates to tax reforms in Pakistan. Only one or two million out of 180 million people in Pakistan pay tax which is too low. To another question, he said EU has not conditionalised these concessions to tax reforms in Pakistan. He, however, said Pakistan will have to introduce tax reforms and widen its tax network. He said EU appreciates Pakistan’s efforts to combat terror. He said European Union stands by Pakistan in its hour of need.
Earlier on Friday, Pakistan and European Union signed an agreement under which EU would provide Euro 225 million to Islamabad under the Multi-annual Indicative Programme 2011-2013 for rural and natural resource development and social welfare.
Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Development Drik Niebel and Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development had signed the agreement.