BRUSSELS: Chairman of Kashmir Council Europe Ali Raza Syed on Sunday welcomed the upcoming visit of European Union Vice-President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas to Pakistan, describing it as of great importance in the context of the current global situation and regional developments.
EU Vice-President Kaja Kallas will arrive in Islamabad on Monday on an official visit to Pakistan.
During her visit, Kallas will hold discussions with senior Pakistani officials on bilateral relations and participate in the 8th EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue.
In a statement, Chairman of the Kashmir Council Europe Ali Raza Syed described the visit as an important step toward further strengthening relations between Pakistan and the European Union.
He noted that the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue has become the most effective platform for promoting bilateral relations and will further expand cooperation in the political, economic, trade, and security sectors.
The Kashmir Council Europe chair further expressed hope that discussions between senior Pakistani officials and EU High Representative Kaja Kallas would also cover the situation in South Asia, particularly regional peace and stability, as well as the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the region, especially the Kashmir dispute.
The Chairman of the Kashmir Council Europe said that, since the European Union has good relations with both Pakistan and India, it is well-positioned to play the role of a mediator in facilitating a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue in the region.
He said that the Kashmir dispute remains the ultimate obstacle to peace in South Asia and that its peaceful resolution could pave the way for prosperity and development throughout the region.
Condemning serious human rights violations in Indian Illegally occupied Kashmir, the Chairman of the Kashmir Council Europe stated that the people of Kashmir cannot be deprived indefinitely of their fundamental and democratic right to self-determination.
He emphasised that India will finally have to grant the Kashmiri people their right to self-determination.
He further stressed that the Kashmir issue should be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations.
Ali Raza Syed also commented on recent threats directed at Pakistan by India, stating that Pakistan is a peace-loving country but will not accept any form of aggression or coercion.
He noted that Pakistan has consistently pursued a policy of peace, dialogue, and mutual respect in the region.
At the same time, Pakistan’s leadership has repeatedly made it clear that its desire for peace should not be misconstrued as a weakness, Ali Raza Syed said.
He said that alongside its commitment to peace and constructive engagement, Pakistan remains fully determined to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and national interests.
He added that India must realise that war and threats are not solutions to problems and that lasting peace and harmony can never be achieved in the region through such coercive means.
