STRASBOURG, France, December 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of the South Asia Peace Forum of the European Parliament met at Strasbourg on 16th December 2009 to review international developments of concern to the members and to plan the future activities of the forum.

The members expressed considerable concern at the possibility that Afghanistan might once again be left with elements of the Taliban in power in Kabul. The members resolved that they would urge the USA, the countries of NATO and other heads of governments to stand by the people of Afghanistan and ensure that any future polity that comes into being in Kabul guarantees the security and safety of all Afghans and is committed to giving equality to women and minorities.

The members also resolved that they would seek to mobilize opinion in favor of the Afghan people being left to set their country in order without undue interference by neighbors like Pakistan which emerged as a major base for operations of Taliban and was now acknowledged to have been widely infiltrated by Al Qaeda.

The members expressed concern at the continuing episodes of terrorism around the world and drew special attention to the terrorist attacks that had taken place in Mumbai in India in November 2008. The continuing operations of Pakistani terrorist groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba were a matter of concern to all countries because the incidents in Mumbai and subsequent investigations had proved that the Lashkar-e-Taiba had been able to develop an international reach.

The members drew attention to the need to strengthen the democratic process in Pakistan and to enable the people of Baluchistan to fulfill their aspirations. The members decided to give the people of Baluchistan a voice in the European Parliament and to call on the Government of Pakistan to respect their rights.

The members resolved to work to encourage the countries of South Asia to establish friendly and mutually beneficial relations with each other. The members decided that they would work along with the governments of South Asia to ensure a bright, prosperous and more peaceful future for the people of the region.

SOURCE South Asia Peace Forum, European Parliament