The Ambassador of European Union in Pakistan

Evolve: Please share your journey with us before coming to Pakistan and as an ambassador what will be your main focus? 

Jean-François Cautain: Before becoming a diplomat, I was an aid worker. It is in this capacity that I spent with my family several years in Peshawar heading programmes helping Afghan Refugees to resettle in their home country. It was in the 90’s. We came back to Peshawar with the EU in 2001 and were transferred to Afghanistan in 2002. Then it was Thailand, Brussels and my last posting as Ambassador was Cambodia. As you can see, there is a strong interest for Asia in our family! 

Of course my main focus is to make sure that relationships between the EU and Pakistan are flourishing. I guess it is the goal of any Ambassador. But I understand it in a very broad sense. It is not only government to government contacts but also with all segments of society: business, academics, civil society. Creating links between people, fostering exchanges and dialogues are key elements for me to build strong relationships between the people of the EU and the people of Pakistan. And I am doing that with my colleagues Ambassadors (and their colleagues) of the 17 EU Member States present in Pakistan.

Evolve: China, an economy of US$ 16.7 trillion will come closer to European markets in result of Silk Road Economic Belt route of the ‘One Belt, One Road’. How do you look at it either a threat for European industries or window of opportunity to access new and big markets? 

Jean-François Cautain: Any strengthening of economic and trade ties between Pakistan and its neighbours, including China, should be welcomed. Regional integration does not only provide economic opportunities for everyone, it also contributes to peace and stability. The EU is by far the most prominent example in the world of regional integration and we are pleased if other regions decide to follow our lead. South Asia region is one of the least connected regions in the world, and I see CPEC as a key element to build this regional connectivity which should not only be North-South but also East-West. China and the European Union remain major trading partners and our economies are already closely interlinked. Therefore, opportunities for closer links to the Chinese markets through CPEC will benefit us as well.

Evolve: EU leaders are considering two-year suspension of Schengen rules. Is this really going to happen or just an opinion?

Jean-François Cautain: Free movement of people within our territory is one of the cornerstones of the EU project, which has greatly contributed to our prosperity. I sincerely hope that the current migration crisis will not have any lasting effect on the cooperation within Schengen.

Evolve: Kindly enlighten us about EU-Pakistan Five-year Engagement Plan and how this plan will make the bilateral ties stronger? 

Jean-François Cautain: The EU-Pakistan Five Year Engagement Plan was signed in 2012. Under the plan we have witnessed a strengthening of our relationship at all levels through closer dialogue and more concrete cooperation. GPS+ is of course one of the major achievements under the plan, with tremendous benefits for Pakistan. The Engagement Plan covers a wide range of areas including political dialogue, security and counter terrorism, human rights, trade, migration, energy and development cooperation. The current Engagement Plan is concluding in 2017. These days, we are taking stock of lessons learned from the Plan, which will pave the way for our renewed engagement with Pakistan.

Evolve: Since its entrance in GSP +club from January 1, 2014, Pakistan has submitted its initial report on January 01, 2016. How do you opine that Pakistan has shown satisfactory compliance with the conventions necessary for continuation of GSP + status?

Jean-François Cautain: Actually the report has not been prepared and submitted by Pakistan but by the European Commission to the EU Parliament and the Member States of the EU. It has been described as a very balanced report. It explains the export benefits that Pakistan gained in 2014 and 2015. The report also highlights the progress made by Pakistan in the implementation of the 27 International Conventions, but also points to a number of problematic areas, in particular when it comes to human rights. These relate among others to the administration of the death penalty, access to justice, freedom of religion and the rights of women and girls. This is the first report, and so far it has only been two years since GSP+ was granted. I expect that Pakistan will continue to make progress in all areas. Of course I will maintain a close dialogue on this with the Government of Pakistan and other concerned stakeholders on those important subjects.

Evolve: Please throw some light on EU’s humanitarian assistance program. How does European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid work and how it has contributed in Pakistan? 

Jean-François Cautain: Since 2007, the humanitarian branch of the EU, ECHO has spent 537.5 Million Euro (64 billion rupees) in Pakistan. In 2016, ECHO plans to disburse 21.5 Million Euro benefiting populations affected by natural disasters or suffering from under nutrition, internally displaced people and Afghan refugees. The European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid is an essential tool to preserve principles actions and the respect of Humanitarian International Law. In this frame we are focusing on how best upholding humanitarian principles and International Law, an approach based on real needs and enhanced coordination with other stakeholders.

Based on those principles, ECHO’s partners (UN, INGOS, Red Cross family) in Pakistan, target the most vulnerable population and ECHO supports national coordination mechanisms. These priorities are in line with the EU’s vision for the upcoming discussions on reshaping global humanitarian aid in the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul next month where Pakistan will also provide a significant contribution.

Evolve: Being world’s largest provider of development assistance, how EU is supporting Pakistan to ensure stability and economic growth in the years ahead?

Jean-François Cautain: The EU is the world’s largest provider of development assistance. EU assistance to Pakistan is growing and together with Member States, the annual EU contribution for development and humanitarian assistance in Pakistan is now about 700 Million Euro per year (77 billion Rupees).

The EU assistance is principally focused on providing long-term support for rural development & local governance, as well as Education & Technical and Vocational Training, and Democracy and Human Rights. In addition, EU provides support in the fields of Trade, Energy, Climate Change, and Higher Education through Erasmus + programme. Assisting Pakistan in its development is not only contributing in making Pakistan a more prosperous and inclusive society but also a key element for the stability of the country.

Evolve: How European Union can assist Pakistani companies to better understand and be able to meet EU product standards with the implementation of international labor standards simultaneously? 

Jean-François Cautain: The EU is having a dialogue with the Pakistani private sector through Chambers of Commerce as well as leading exporter associations. Pakistan’s private sector is very robust and actively pursuing the opportunities to attain bigger benefits from GSP+ but more can be done. Pakistan must work to further diversify its exports and move up the value chain. This is primarily the responsibility of the Government and the private sector itself, but we have provided assistance to several sectors (horticulture, cutlery, leather sector, fans, protective gears, fisheries, gems, etc.) through our Trade Related Technical Assistance Programme. GSP+ calls for effective implementation of international labour and environmental standards by implementing 27 international Conventions. We are preparing a new programme with ILO and WWF on labour and environment standards in Pakistan.

We hope that companies will continue improving their compliance to all these international Conventions and ultimately further benefit from this by attracting more consumers seeking goods produced in a responsible way.

Evolve: In your view what measures are required to enhance the export of agriculture products from Pakistan to European Union market? 

Jean-François Cautain: Agriculture is one of the most important sectors for Pakistan’s economy. It accounts for about 21% of the country’s GDP and 43.5% of Pakistan’s employment. With regard to trade, GSP+ provides duty free access also for many agricultural goods, so this creates opportunities for increased exports to the EU. Also, through our Trade Related Technical Assistance Programme, we have supported both capacity building to enhance food safety and meet SPS requirements in Pakistan which has enhanced trade in agricultural products like mango and kinnow. The fishery sector has also benefited from our support. But it is not enough. Pakistan should explore new avenues which could link small farmers with the global market. Pakistan has a great potential to export agriculture products which need to be unlocked.

Evolve: How do you evaluate the potential of Pakistanis in comparison of other nations?

Jean-François Cautain: Pakistan is a country of people full of energy and spirit. It has cultural diversity and most of all people want to work and excel. At the moment economic opportunities, especially for the growing population of young people, are limited. This is why we must all work together to promote growth and employment in Pakistan.

Evolve: You work hard as an ambassador. What do you do to relax? 

Jean-François Cautain: I do not know if I work hard. Maybe I am just badly organised (laughs)! I know that we, my wife and I, are enjoying being in Pakistan. We try to get out of Islamabad as much as possible to visit EU-funded projects in different provinces, meet with politicians, business people and civil society. Indeed, it keeps us very busy but is it really works when you enjoy doing it?

Evolve: Any message to the readers of EVOLVE? 

Jean-François Cautain: EVOLVE is widely read among the business community so my message is that the EU is looking forward to work with you to promote trade and investment between the EU and Pakistan and improve human rights and labour standards to the benefit of all of citizens of Pakistan.