A Northern MEP who has been closely involved in moves to settle the long-running dispute over Kashmir—and who was in an EU Parliamentary delegation which visited the territory a few months ago—says he believes that a conference taking place in Brussels this week marks a major step forward in finding ‘a lasting solution which will be acceptable to India, Pakistan—and above all the people of Kashmir.’
Yorkshire and Humber Euro MP David was speaking after attending the opening session of the conference which has been organised by the European Parliamentary Group on Kashmir and the International Commission of Human Rights Kashmir Centre in Brussels.
He explained “What is especially encouraging is that this historic event has brought together many major political figures from both India and Pakistan, together with Kashmiri leaders, to build on the much improved relations which have developed between the two countries since their Government agreed to begin talks on how to end the dispute which has caused so much bloodshed and bitterness since the partition of the Indian sub-continent in 1947.
“It follows the visit which MEPs made to the Kashmir where we were able to see for ourselves both the high state of tensions as the two armies face each over the ‘line of control’ which divides the Pakistan and India held areas of Kashmir…and the human cost in the area’s refugee camps.
“We came back from that visit determined that the EU should do everything possible to support the process of dialogue and reconciliation and this conference is a very important demonstration of the important role which Europe can play in providing an opportunity for all parties to meet, talk—and hopefully find a way forward which will bring an end to a conflict which has gone on for far too long.”
Meanwhile Mr Bowe will be reporting on the Brussels discussions and his visit to Kashmir when he attends a seminar being organised by the All Parties Kashmir Freedom Council of the UK and Europe, being held in Bradford City Hall on April 25th.
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