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Welcome from the Chair
Welcome to the Delegation for Relations with the countries of South Asia. This standing body of the European Parliament covers inter-parliamentary relations with Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. I have had the privilege of being Chair of this delegation since 2009.
Relations with these countries, while still developing, are based on different legal grounds, reflecting diverse patterns of intensity in commercial exchanges, investment flows, development cooperation, technical assistance, or cultural links.
Thus, Cooperation Agreements exist with Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. While these do not always explicitly foresee a parliamentary extension, political dialogue is foreseen. In this spirit, meetings between legislators have regularly taken place since 1981. More than 45 inter-parliamentary meetings have been held, covering all six countries, which has helped MEPs develop a better understanding of these countries.
While this activity has allowed EP priorities on democracy, human rights and climate change to be conveyed on the ground, it has also greatly helped MEPs in fulfilling their mandate - notably on trade-related issues, especially taking into account the enhanced role of the European Parliament after the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty.
As some of our regular delegation meetings are web-streamed, you are most welcome to follow our meetings live online.
Jean Lambert
Relations with these countries, while still developing, are based on different legal grounds, reflecting diverse patterns of intensity in commercial exchanges, investment flows, development cooperation, technical assistance, or cultural links.
Thus, Cooperation Agreements exist with Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. While these do not always explicitly foresee a parliamentary extension, political dialogue is foreseen. In this spirit, meetings between legislators have regularly taken place since 1981. More than 45 inter-parliamentary meetings have been held, covering all six countries, which has helped MEPs develop a better understanding of these countries.
While this activity has allowed EP priorities on democracy, human rights and climate change to be conveyed on the ground, it has also greatly helped MEPs in fulfilling their mandate - notably on trade-related issues, especially taking into account the enhanced role of the European Parliament after the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty.
As some of our regular delegation meetings are web-streamed, you are most welcome to follow our meetings live online.
Jean Lambert