An Overview of EU-Pakistan Relations: Focus on Democratization of Pakistan
Posted: 17 Apr 2013
Date Written: April 17, 2013
Abstract
The paper aims to elaborate the EU’s humanitarian and development assistance to Pakistan since the inception of EU-Pakistan relations, and the EU’s rather half-hearted efforts to support the democratization of the country.
The European Union draws a clear line between economic and development cooperation, and with regard to the developing countries the Union mostly concentrates on development cooperation which covers grants and technical and financial assistance for overcoming poverty, promoting human rights, food aid, financing of NGOs, gender development, family planning, rural development and so on. But there is a need to integrate the developing countries into the international economic system through trade instead of aid, which has actually proved a hindrance to development and growth in developing countries.
The paper highlights that the EU is more critical of civilian governments in Pakistan rather than military regimes, and this attitude does not promote democracy.
Keywords: EU-Pakistan Relations
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