Spotlight On Kashmir Shines Brightly With Third Kashmir EU Week
Posted, June 05, 2007 @ 16:00
Brussels, 05 June 2007 -- Europe is on your side, and we are here to help - the message from UK Conservative MEP Philip Bushill-Matthews to the thirteen million people of Kashmir at the official opening of the third annual Kashmir EU Week in the European Parliament.
Inaugurated by Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Raja Zulqernain Khan, the five-day event is focussing on building peace in Kashmir, ravaged by three wars over the past six decades and devastated by the earthquake that claimed 75,000 lives in 2005.
Official host of the Kashmir EU Week as Vice-President of the All-Party Group for Kashmir in the Parliament, Mr Bushill-Matthews commented:
"This week gives us an opportunity to shine a very clear spotlight on Kashmir. Our challenge is to ensure the light shines not just for one week out of 52, but remains shining throughout the year."
"As Parliamentarians we are representatives of the peoples of Europe, but we care very much about the problems facing the peoples of the rest of the world, particularly in areas where there have been conflicts and divisions for so many years. As Party Politicians we may differ on many issues, but we are united concerning the need to find real and lasting solutions to the problems facing the people of Jammu and Kashmir."
"We will help in any way we can to help and support all stakeholders to build a future based on peace and justice in the region. It will take time, and patience, but we will be there for you as long as it takes."