Pakistani President meets EU leaders

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-22-2008 08:56

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is touring Europe to improve his country's status and explain misunderstandings to European countries.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is touring Europe to improve his country's status and explain  misunderstandings to European countries. (CCTV.com)

He promises to bring democracy to Pakistan, but urges the West to be realistic about how soon that can be achieved.

Starting his European tour in Belgium, Musharraf offered assurances that his government is committed to democracy.

He promised Pakistan's parliamentary elections on February 18th will be fair, transparent and peaceful.

However, he says democracy there can not be compared with that in the West, and Pakistan needs more time to meet those standards.

Musharraf met with Belgium Prime Minister Guy Verhosftadt. (CCTV.com)

Pervez Musharraf, Pakistani President, said, "You have taken centuries in reaching wherever you have come. Allow us time for going for the values that you have established for yourself. We are on the right course but our environment and your environment is very very different."

Speaking to the European Parliament, Musharraf says it's important for the West to understand Pakistan is a reliable and indispensable ally in the fight against terrorism.

He asked the European deputies to help him fight terrorism instead of casting insinuations.

Pervez Musharraf, Pakistani President, said, "Please understand us. Please support us. Please encourage us, instead of the insinuations that I said. The success in Afghanistan and indeed in the border regions of Pakistan and in Pakistan, is imperative because it will have direct effect even I believe in the streets of Europe."

Musharraf met with EU's top diplomat Javier Solana. (CCTV.com)

Musharraf discussed the battle against militants in a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. Both agreed to cooperate as closely as possible.

Musharraf also met with Belgium Prime Minister Guy Verhosftadt and the EU's top diplomat Javier Solana.

Solana says February's polls in Pakistan must be free, fair and secure. He says the way they are conducted will determine the level of the EU's cooperation with Pakistan.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei