Olwyn Enright
Ceist:40 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the political problem in Kashmir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9993/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 31 March 2004
Ceisteanna (61)
Freagraí scríofa
There is a long history of conflict between India and Pakistan. These nuclear armed countries came close to the brink of war on two occasions in 2002. The problem in Kashmir remains serious. Recently there have been encouraging political developments. Both countries began a composite dialogue that included the Kashmir issue. A ceasefire along the control line has existed since 25 November.
Following the talks between the President of Pakistan and the Prime Minister of India, the 5 January South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation Summit took place and the President of Pakistan and the Prime Minister of India attended. Since then they made a joint statement announcing that they had agreed to commence a process of composite dialogue. On 18 February the foreign secretaries of the Foreign Ministries of India and Pakistan met and agreed to modalities for the composite dialogue and their foreign ministers will meet in August. The foreign secretaries are expected to meet again in May or June for talks on security, confidence building measures and Kashmir.
Ireland, together with our EU partners, and the international community attaches the greatest importance to these significant and positive developments between India and Pakistan. This new process has raised a shared hope that it will lead to progress in resolving this long-standing dispute. We hope that it will lead to improved relations between India and Pakistan and advance peace and stability in the region.
The EU is ready to support both countries in their efforts to reduce tension and to seek a lasting solution to their outstanding differences, including the issue of Kashmir. Last September Ireland participated in an EU Troika visit to Kashmir at the level of heads of mission in New Delhi. An EU Troika to Islamabad on 21 October 2003, in which Ireland also participated, included a discussion of the Kashmir issue as a core element of the mission. At the fourth EU-India summit, held in New Delhi on 29 November 2003, the EU welcomed recent steps and expressed the hope that differences could be resolved peacefully through dialogue.
As Presidency, I led an EU Troika mission to India on 16 February and to Pakistan on 18 February. The Troika welcomed the composite dialogue between Pakistan and India. It also welcomed the agreement of a timetable for further discussions with a view to reaching a peaceful settlement between the two sides on a range of issues including Kashmir. The Troika conveyed the Union's willingness to assist the process in any way considered appropriate by both parties.
Following the Troika missions the General Affairs and External Relations Council adopted conclusions on India and Pakistan on 23 February. The Council welcomed the start of composite dialogue and indicated that the EU is ready, at the request of the parties, to assist in appropriate manner.
The question of Kashmir is regularly discussed by officials of EU member states. EU heads of mission in New Delhi and Islamabad also regularly engage with Indian and Pakistani officials on the issue. Ireland, along with our EU partners, remains committed to supporting every advance in this critical dialogue.