Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-06-12-Speech-3-033"
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"en.20020612.1.3-033"2
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"Mr President, I also welcome the statement in the Seville declaration concerning India and Pakistan. It is crucial that Europe takes responsibility and initiative in solving the crisis in the region and does not just leave the peace efforts to the USA and Russia, especially since some of the EU Member States have strong historical links with the region. I also believe that it is essential for the development of the CFSP that the EU plays a major role.
I strongly agree with the Council's statement about the threat to the whole region and, indeed, the whole world from a nuclear conflict. President Prodi is correct in saying that we have far more opportunity to influence the situation positively before a conflict breaks out than after. I wholeheartedly endorse moves by both India and Pakistan in the last few days, to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict in Kashmir. We have to support these.
However, despite the reduced tension at present, skirmishes along the border continue. Casualties continue to rise. So the sooner de-escalation takes place the better. It is vital that diplomatic relations and transport links between the two countries are restored. Bilateral talks between two sides need to take place as soon as possible. Although war seems to be averted for now, tensions could easily rise again, especially around the time of elections in the Indian Kashmir in September.
On that point, it is vital that these elections are demonstrably free and fair. However, we need to ensure that fighting over the territory of Kashmir is stopped permanently. A quest for territory was the catalyst for the Second World War and the solution sought to that issue needs to be applied in this case as well. Just as trade was used to prevent conflict when the European Coal and Steel community was founded, it is vital to consider such means as a peaceful way to keep tensions permanently low. The GDP of the two countries is very low and poverty remains a major problem. Despite recent positive efforts, only half the population of the region is literate, which is a major a barrier to economic growth. It is essential for the EU to prioritise global security through a poverty reduction programme.
The overwhelming message is clear. War can never be the solution in situations like this. Any action must be economic or humanitarian with positive steps to resolve the high level tensions. Let us now turn our attention to the people."@en1
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