EU poised to give Pakistan trade breaks

11/09/10 13:09 CET

world news

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EU leaders are due to meet next week to discuss implementing trade concessions for Pakistan. The deal worth hundreds of millions of euros is being touted as an effort to maintain stability in the flood-hit country.

The waiver – a unilateral suspension of tariffs on certain goods – would be granted under the so-called “9/11” clause used to grant Pakistan trade breaks after the Sept. 11 attacks. Those
breaks were in recognition of Pakistan’s position as a frontline ally in the battle against Islamist militancy.

Britain and Germany have strongly pushed for trade concessions for Pakistan. Southern European states with competing textile industries have previously blocked such moves.

However, with some 20-million people affected by the floods, opposition to the move is widely considered unlikely.

More about: Islam, Pakistan, Religion

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