The European Union on Friday joined India in pressing Pakistan to “expeditiously” bring the perpetrators, authors and accomplices of Mumbai terror attacks to justice.
In a reference to the existence of terror camps in Pakistan, the 27-nation European Union and India at their 11th annual summit, which was attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, denounced those “who sponsor, abet and instigate terrorism and provide terrorists safe havens.”
“We have agreed to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation,” Dr. Singh said at a joint press conference with European Council President Herman Wan Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
While reviewing the situation in India’s neighbourhood and developments in Europe, Dr. Singh said the EU and India were united in their view that the success of the international community’s efforts in Afghanistan was critical for the people of the war-torn country as well as for the stability and security of India and Europe.
“Be it London, Mumbai or Madird, terrorism knows no borders. There is a need for a common response,” Mr. Rompuy said.
The joint declaration also condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purpose.
It also encouraged all countries to deny safe havens to terrorists and to dismantle terror infrastructure on the terrorists under their control.
European political analysts said it is perhaps for the first time that the EU as a bloc has come out strongly against Pakistan on terrorism and the need for it do more.
