By KUNA
Brussels : The European Union stressed Wednesday that holding free, fair and open-to-all elections in Pakistan by 18 February is of paramount importance.
“The Pakistani Government should strive to ensure proper political and security conditions for these elections. All parties should respect the decision of the Election Commission,” said Slovenian State Secretary for European Affairs Janez Lenar}i}.
He was addressing a debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on the situation in Pakistan after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Slovenia holds the current EU Presidency.
“The interests of the EU in Pakistan are closely linked to policy priorities regarding Afghanistan and the wider region and counter-Terrorism, non-proliferation and human rights,” he stressed.
On her part, European Commissioner for external relations said when President Musharraf visits Brussels next week , EU leaders will tell him that the way forward is to organize democratic and transparent elections which will give a credible mandate to the new government.
“Pakistan needs a functioning democracy and the rule of law and a functioning civil society,” stressed the Commissioner.
She said a credible investigation into the murder of Benazir Bhutto can help calm the situation.