Stabilizing Pakistan - Friends of Democratic Pakistan Group
Oct 18, 2010
Stabilizing Pakistan
“Pakistan is a very significant country that definitely must be stabilized. This also concerns our own security in Europe,” Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle stressed before the beginning of the meeting on October 15 of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan in Brussels at the invitation of the European Union. The need for action is especially urgent in the wake of devastating floods.
Westerwelle highlighted Germany’s commitment to humanitarian aid for Pakistan. The German people had showed tremendous generosity, he said, for which the Pakistani Foreign Minister had again expressly offered thanks in Brussels.
After the immediate provision of humanitarian aid, the long-term development of stable structures in the country is now of foremost importance.
“The meeting was a clear sign of solidarity, but also a signal of encouragement for reforms within Pakistan,” Westerwelle said. He added that the Friends of Democratic Pakistan Group agreed unanimously that the conditions for a “path of stability” must be created within the country itself.
Since late July, more than 20 million people have been affected by the catastrophic flooding. Twelve million were or are in need of aid, and more than 1,800 have died. The German Government has provided more than 35 million euros in bilateral emergency aid. Including contributions to European Union aid and other multilateral aid funds, Germany has offered a total of about 66 million euros. On top of this, private donors in Germany have given approximately 161 million euros.
Reform for stability
“If we want Pakistan to remain stable or become more stable, we can raise as much money as we want from abroad, but at the end of the day it isn’t enough if reforms don’t take place within Pakistan as well,” the Federal Foreign Minister said. Westerwelle included narrowing the gap between Pakistan’s rich and poor among the reforms needed.
The meeting, which is taking place at the invitation of the EU, is the third meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan. Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi and EU High Representative Ashton serve as the group’s co-chairs. The key issue at the meeting is rebuilding after the catastrophic floods, but structural reforms such as reforming the Pakistani energy sector are also on the agenda.
Group founded in 2008
The Friends of Democratic Pakistan Group was founded on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on 26 September 2008. The group aims to strengthen the coordination and focus of the international community’s support for the Pakistani government, especially in terms of reforms in the country. Twenty-one countries and five organizations are members of the group.
© Federal Foreign Office
