Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-04-21-Speech-3-288"
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"en.20040421.11.3-288"2
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".
Mr President, I would like to thank the Members for their comments. A stable and democratic Pakistan would be a benign influence in the region, especially in the context of neighbouring Afghanistan. There are benefits to what is proposed. I fully understand the passion that has been injected into this debate by Mr Cushnahan but I do not understand the choice of language. It is not a good strategy to portray those who disagree with you as selling out or as being puppets. Perhaps when he has the opportunity he might like to reconsider those words. You can have principled positions and you can also have pragmatism; they do not rule each other out.
Nonetheless, I too compliment Mr Cushnahan on the work that he has done and I compliment also Mr Brok, as chairman, on his work and that of his committee. The conclusion of the agreement would help the European Union to better engage with Pakistan on the very issues that Mr Cushnahan touches upon, the issues on which we want to have changes. Perhaps the last speaker is right when he suggests that human rights issues and issues relating to democracy should be completely excluded from trade agreements, perhaps not.
A number of other contributors made points with which I can certainly agree. Mr Ford indicated clearly that there are concerns, and that he fully appreciates the nature of the concerns, but then made the point that even he, as a Member who is close to the issue, can still support the position which has been taken by the Foreign Affairs Committee and the position which will be voted on here with regard to the third generation agreement.
Mr Schröder demonstrated again the logic of support for the third generation agreement in his contribution, as indeed did Mr Howitt who reflected the same view and again illustrated the dangers of taking the view that every issue is only either black or white.
I take very much to heart the comments of Chairman Brok; I only hope that the Council and the Commission will maintain a sense of balance should the third generation agreement be ratified. I think Elmar Brok is correct in this particular viewpoint, which is the balanced one. It gives us a basis on which we can engage with the Pakistanis. The Presidency will not lose sight of the fact that there remain many serious negative issues in relation to Pakistan and we will certainly seek to ensure that the Union maintains pressure on the Pakistani authorities during the period of Ireland's presidency. Equally, I have no doubt whatsoever that this will also be the position taken by successive presidencies.
Again I want to thank you, Mr President, and I want to thank the House."@en1
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