Message of condolences of President Barroso to Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Message from Mr José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission, to His Excellency Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan:

“Dear Mr. President,

I would like to express, on behalf of the European Commission and in my own name, my sincere condolences to you and to the Pakistani people for the huge loss of lives due to the monsoon floods in the north and centre of your country. Let me assure you of the full solidarity of the European Commission in these challenging times.

Today, the European Commission has adopted a €10 million emergency decision to further assist the populations affected by these disastrous floods in Pakistan. This aid decision, which takes immediate effect, comes in addition to the funds already mobilised within the €30 million envelope allocated by the commission to Pakistan for humanitarian assistance on 30 July.

The European Commission monitoring and information centre is in close contact with the 31 countries participating in the EU civil protection mechanism and we stand ready to consider further ways and means of assistance to alleviate the suffering of the populations in need and help to reconstruct the devastated areas.

Please accept, dear Mr. President, the assurance of my highest consideration.”