Phil Hogan
Question:140 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the European Union has given recent consideration to the situation in relation to India and Pakistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6550/03]
Written Answers - Foreign Conflicts.
Since my last statement in November 2002 on this issue, tensions in the region have increased somewhat, and political uncertainties continue to prevent a fuller accommodation. As Deputies will be aware, the two countries came close to the brink of war on two occasions in 2002.
While the situation remains serious, there have also been positive developments. On 2 November 2002, the new Government of Jammu and Kashmir was sworn in, following elections in September and October. The government is a coali tion of the two largest parties in the assembly, the Congress Party and the People's Democratic Party. The new administration is committed to dialogue as a means of resolving the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Following the recent democratic elections in Pakistan, a civilian Government has been formed, comprising the Muslim League-Quaid, PML-Q, and the Muttahida Quami Movement, MQM. The new PML-Q civilian Prime Minister, Mr. Zafarullah Khan Jamali, was sworn in on 22 November.
Throughout January 2003, both India and Pakistan issued a series of inflammatory statements, including military threats, which have once again raised tensions. On 22 and 23 January, each country expelled a number of diplomats of the other. On 28 January, the Pakistani military shot down an unmanned Indian spy plane which it claimed had violated Pakistani airspace. On 5 February, Kashmir Solidarity Day, Pakistan Prime Minister Jamali called on India to resume a process of dialogue aimed at resolving the Kashmir issue. At every opportunity, the EU has offered to assist both countries in finding a way out of the present stalemate. A Ministerial troika met with the Indian foreign minister in Athens on 17 January 2003. Last year, the Presidency welcomed the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and the elections in Pakistan and called on India and Pakistan to resume a diplomatic dialogue as soon as possible. The question of Jammu and Kashmir is also regularly discussed by officials of EU member states. Heads of missions in New Delhi and Islamabad regularly engage with Indian and Pakistani officials.
Ireland has also made its concerns known at every opportunity to representatives of India and Pakistan in Dublin, New York, New Delhi and Islamabad. In June 2002, our ambassador to Pakistan presented his credentials in Islamabad to President Musharraf and former Foreign Minister Sattar and took that opportunity to outline our views. I met with the then Pakistan Foreign Minister Ul Haq in September 2002 at the UN General Assembly and urged increased co-operation on terrorism issues and support for bilateral dialogue. Ireland, along with our EU partners, remains fully committed to supporting every advance in this critical dialogue.
Question No. 141 withdrawn.