Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-11-17-Speech-4-181"
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"en.20051117.21.4-181"2
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".
I speak to you as one of the authors, and as stand-in for Neena Gill, chairman of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. Ladies and gentlemen, the border area between China, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan is one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world. It is also the scene of one of the longest-running conflicts in South Asia. The border in the region is not yet properly demarcated or secured by means of bilateral or multilateral agreements. Armed conflict still smoulders under the surface. In the Pakistan-controlled area, which is virtually inaccessible, several million people have lost their homes and in some cases there is a complete lack not only of food and medicine, but also of any kind of contact with the outside world. We therefore call on all countries and organisations to help the victims. In the resolution before us, we naturally support the complete opening up of cross-border routes, including the reinstated bus link with India. It is certainly a positive development that further bus links connecting people on either side of the border in Punjab are at the planning stage, and further talks on rail links and the prospect of agreement on the joint construction of a gas pipeline in the region are developments that we naturally welcome. These measures will help to build up trust between opposing factions.
Still on the theme of assistance to those affected by the earthquake, the aim is to provide help as quickly as possible to those who need it. Indeed, solidarity between the peoples of this divided region can help smooth the path towards solving age-old conflicts. The urgent call for local organisations to distribute assistance fairly is entirely justified. At the same time, the Commission and EU Member State governments must be called upon to speed up the assistance provided to the victims. The needs are well known and we are all aware, particularly with the onset of winter, that the saying ‘he who gives quickly gives twice’ applies more than ever before. I wish to thank all of you, ladies and gentlemen, for supporting this resolution. I believe that the issue of peaceful conflict resolution in this part of the world is one to which we shall be returning and that the Commission will soon submit to us a report on the measures that have been taken."@en1
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