Pakistan seeks EU support for fence
Foreign minister says help in policing border with Afghanistan would be welcomed.
“For the time being we will only fence it in certain areas, but I’ve asked the minister today for the European Union’s co-operation in fencing and in better regulating the border,” he said, after meeting with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany’s foreign minister.
Germany currently holds the EU presidency.
Assistance sought
Kasuri said Pakistan would welcome assistance in building the fence or in aerial monitoring of the border, but gave no other details.
“We are looking for all sorts of help,” he said, adding that he had also asked for assistance in the repatriation of refugees in order to reduce the size of the border camps “in which all sorts of people find easy refuge.”
Steinmeier said the two had talked about “possibilities to improve the border situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan“, but did not elaborate.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have affected by Afghan allegations that a recent surge in the Taliban-led uprising is due to sanctuary afforded to fighters inside Pakistan.
Islamabad, a former backer of the Taliban, denies allegations that its intelligence agencies still give tacit support to the fighters.