New Delhi, Oct. 29: The European Union has said India's 12-point peace package to Pakistan could go a long way in overcoming misperception, misunderstandings and prejudices and hoped that they may service to improve the situation on the ground. "I sincerely welcome India's announcement of a series of confidence building measures vis-a-vis Pakistan, which should give a new impetus to the peace initiative taken last April by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajapyee," EU external relations commissioner Chris Patten has said in a statement.
External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha had a meeting yesterday with Patten in Brussels where he had gone to hold preparatory discussion for the India-EU summit scheduled to be held in Delhi on November 29.
Patten said, "I am particularly encouraged by the emphasis on the development of people-to-people links. Direct contacts can go a long way in order to overcome misperceptions, misunderstanding and prejudices."
"I hope that they may serve to improve the situation on the ground and lead to a cessation of violence and the resumption of a genuine dialogue between all parties," Patten said apparently referring to the proposed talks between Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and the Hurriyat Conference.
Bureau Report