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Published: Sunday June 28, 2009 MYT 11:53:00 AM

G8 favors Pakistan-EU trade liberalization


TRIESTE, Italy (AP) - Foreign ministers from Group of Eight countries said Saturday they supported the possibility of liberalizing trade between the European Union and Pakistan.

The possibility was raised earlier this month at a summit between the EU and Pakistan, in which the parties agreed to step up trade talks with a view to liberalizing market access and possibly adopting a free trade agreement.

The G-8 held talks on stabilization in Afghanistan and Pakistan that were extended to officials from the two countries and other regional players. The participants said in a statement Saturday that they "welcomed the prospects of trade liberalization."

The statement said increased trade was crucial for the region's development and called for stronger ties between countries in the area.

The United States under the Obama Administration is supporting a proposal initiated under President George W. Bush that would allow poor tribal regions in Pakistan and Afghanistan to sell clothing and goods they make to U.S. buyers tax-free.

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