EU, NATO seek better ties with Pakistan

The EU and NATO are seeking to deepen political and economic cooperation with Pakistan, a nation vital to the allied war effort in neighboring Afghanistan.

The EU and NATO are seeking to deepen political and economic cooperation with Pakistan, a nation vital to the allied war effort in neighboring Afghanistan.

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Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani meets with EU leaders on Friday as part of the second summit between both sides in the past year. He is also visiting NATO.

EU officials say the 27-nation bloc intends to launch a five-year engagement plan that would include a strategic dialogue between the two sides and a boost in trade, which last year amounted to euro7 billion. Pakistan currently enjoys preferential treatment for 80 per cent of its exports to the EU, and plans call for all customs duties to be abolished soon.

The EU also is increasing reconstruction assistance for Pakistan's war-ravaged regions.