Noting that it was the most “inappropriate time” for the European Union (EU) to hold the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue keeping in view the violent anti-French and anti-European demonstrations in that country, the Europe India Chamber of Commerce (EICC), a Brussels-based non-profit organisation, has said that holding such dialogues are a “perfect example” of how some of EU’s policies have “boomeranged.”

In a letter addressed to Philippe Léglise-Costa, Ambassador of France to the European Union, EICC Secretary General Sunil Prasad said: “In our view, it was the most inappropriate time for EU to hold the dialogue with Pakistan given the wide and violent anti-French and anti-European demonstration going in the country.” 

The EICC, which serves as the liaising body representing views of European and Indian businesses and enterprises, in the letter, said, “holding a strategic dialogue with a country that is well-known for its close and extensive connections with Jihadi terrorists and extremists who are using Islam as a pretext for their crimes is a perfect example of how some of the EU’s policies have boomeranged on the institution itself.”

On November 3, the EU and Pakistan held their fifth round of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue through videoconference. It was held between Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU and Vice-President of the European Commission, and Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan.

“It was most unfortunate that EU held the dialogue just at the time of the biggest anti-France protests where President Emmanuel Macron was the target of extreme insults and threats during these demonstrations.

“The EU could have avoided the embarrassment inflicted on the French people by delaying the dialogue in order to promote, protect, and defend the EU’s strategic interest. I am afraid the EU has lost its direction, mission, and objective,” Prasad said in the letter.

Following the French President remark that “Islam as a religion in crisis” there was uproar in the Muslim world, including in Pakistan. Pakistan's Parliament passed a resolution to recall its Ambassador from France. Violent demonstrations were staged in Pakistan against France and the call for a boycott of French products.

“The dialogue therefore has undermined EU's unity and has sent a wrong signal to Europe and to the global community that the EU has succumbed to the demands of jihadi and religious extremists. Even if the EU were keen to keep the momentum with Pakistan going, the dialogue could have been delayed for a suitable time and the right opportunity to let the country know of EU's concern,” the letter said.

Prasad said that it was “surprising to note from the Joint Statement issued that to further their engagement, both sides agreed to hold the first meeting of the new EU-Pakistan Security Dialogue in 2021, including on the fight against terrorism.”

“A country, which is the epicenter of global terrorism and jihadi extremism will be partnering with EU to fight terrorism. I only wish that EU leadership takes note concern of the international community which considers Pakistan as a promoter, defender and a resort for jihadists and terrorists, and takes decision-based on values and principles that have defined this institution right from the time of its inception.

In his letter, Prasad hoped that France would take into consideration the dialogue with Pakistan into consideration “before supporting EU progressing with Pakistan on the path of strategic dialogues or other collaborations and indeed inducements.”

“The important question for the EU leadership to consider right now is whether holding a dialogue at the time when the country that’s supposed to be a strategic dialogue partner is increasingly becoming more Islamicised and anti-Western through the influence of mullahs and populist government?”

He said that by “holding the dialogue with Pakistan at a time when EU member states are deeply concerned about rising intolerance against tolerant Europe, the EU has proved that it is insensitive to its member state France, French values and least bothered about the concern in France about terrorism.” 

He further said that the last few years have been “very challenging” for the European community as “public trust in institutions has diminished dramatically as in many parts of the EU, the people feel that the bureaucracy in Brussels is totally disconnected from their lives and their concerns and the policies framed by it are not relevant or related to their lives and their immediate concerns.”

It appears, the European Commission has forgotten that the EU will survive only as long as member states will have trust in the Commission to defend their interest and values, and I am afraid with such dialogue, this faith will be further eroded. Brexit is a living example of this misadventure, he added.

In our view, creative thinking and search for a conducive environment for a meaningful dialogue would have served the EU’s strategic interest better, the letter said.