Mendes-led delegation to update EU understanding on J-K situation

Luis Filipe Castro Mendes, the Ambassador of Portugal to India representing the current European Union Presidency, has said that the delegation led by him aims to update the EU on the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Srinagar, Sept 24 : Luis Filipe Castro Mendes, the Ambassador of Portugal to India representing the current European Union Presidency, has said that the delegation led by him aims to update the EU on the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The EU Troika is a learning mission and has the aim of updating the EU understanding of the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir through meetings and discussions with interlocutors from different sections of society," said Mendes after meeting with Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yaseen Malik at the latter's residence on Sunday.

EU's five-member delegation, headed by Mendes, is on a three-day visit to ammu and Kashmir.

"The Troika will visit again to have meetings with the Government, the representatives from different political groups, NGO and representatives from the civil society," he added.

Meanwhile, Malik reiterated his stand on the peace talks after his party's closed door meeting with the EU.

"We have told them that in this condition (the EU's insistence on solving matters through talks) it is their duty to pursue the Kashmir dispute so that this matter can be resolved. The dialogue process is going on between India and Pakistan. It is not a territorial border dispute between India and Pakistan that they can resolve between themselves. The people of Kashmir, who have given their life for Kashmir and who are basically related to this matter, should be included in the talks," said Malik.

ANI