25 European MPs to visit J&K on Feb 12

at 1:46 pm

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): After envoys from 15 countries travelled to Jammu and Kashmir last month, 25 European Parliamentarians (MEPs) are expected to visit the Union Territory from February 12 for two days.

The MEPs will be visiting various districts of Kashmir to assess the situation on the ground. Officials of the Jammu and Kashmir administration will brief them about the current situation, sources said.

Besides meeting administration officials, the MEPs will also be briefed by top Army Commanders on security situation within Jammu and Kashmir and on the border with Pakistan.

The visit of the EU MPs assumes significance as a resolution moved in the European Parliament last month is slated to be discussed and voted upon next month.

The vote was scheduled in January but it was deferred to March, a development that was seen as a diplomatic victory for India.

This will be the third visit by foreigners and second visit by the EU MPs after the abolition of Article 370 in August last year.

Earlier, Ambassadors of 15 countries visited Jammu and Kashmir for two days from January 9.

The envoys, including the US Ambassador, visited Jammu and Kashmir for on-the-spot assessment of situation.

The delegation also included diplomats from Bangladesh, Vietnam, Norway, Maldives, South Korea, Morocco, Brazil, and Nigeria.