<div>Germany today said that "deep issues" like Kashmir should be a part of the talks between India and Pakistan as dialogue is the only way to move forward, days after the cancellation of NSA-level talks over India's insistence that Kashmir cannot be on the agenda.<br /><br />"There are deep issues like Kashmir which cannot be avoided in talks," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said here during a joint press conference with National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz.<br /><br />Steninmeier, who arrived here last night from Afghanistan leading a delegation of German parliamentarians, said talks are the only way to move forward in the dialogue between the two South Asian neighbours.<br /><br />He was responding to a question about escalation of tension along the LoC after Pakistan called off NSA-level talks set for August 23 when India made it clear that discussions on Kashmir and a meeting with separatists will not be acceptable.<br /><br />The German Minister also asked Pakistan to step up campaign against militants and target them without any discrimination.<br /><br />He encouraged Pakistan to continue to work closely with the Afghanistan government and the international community in the fight against terrorism.<br /><br />"Close cooperation between neighbouring countries, namely between Afghanistan and Pakistan is a sine qua non for peace and stability – terrorism does not stop at borders. The fight against terrorism has to be carried on in accordance with the rule of law and human rights," Steinmeier added.<br /><br />Emphasising on the close ties between Pakistan and Germany, the Minister said that Germany has constantly been active in the energy sector in Pakistan, and its free-of-cost top class universities are increasingly becoming a popular destination for Pakistani students.<br /><br />Steinmeier also opposed death penalty and urged Pakistan to halt executions which were started in December last year after a moratorium of about six years when Taliban attacked a school and killed 150 people, mostly children.<br /><br />This was the third time Steinmeier visited Pakistan after two visits in 2007 and 2008 during his first tenure as Federal Foreign Minister. <br /></div>
<div>Germany today said that "deep issues" like Kashmir should be a part of the talks between India and Pakistan as dialogue is the only way to move forward, days after the cancellation of NSA-level talks over India's insistence that Kashmir cannot be on the agenda.<br /><br />"There are deep issues like Kashmir which cannot be avoided in talks," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said here during a joint press conference with National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz.<br /><br />Steninmeier, who arrived here last night from Afghanistan leading a delegation of German parliamentarians, said talks are the only way to move forward in the dialogue between the two South Asian neighbours.<br /><br />He was responding to a question about escalation of tension along the LoC after Pakistan called off NSA-level talks set for August 23 when India made it clear that discussions on Kashmir and a meeting with separatists will not be acceptable.<br /><br />The German Minister also asked Pakistan to step up campaign against militants and target them without any discrimination.<br /><br />He encouraged Pakistan to continue to work closely with the Afghanistan government and the international community in the fight against terrorism.<br /><br />"Close cooperation between neighbouring countries, namely between Afghanistan and Pakistan is a sine qua non for peace and stability – terrorism does not stop at borders. The fight against terrorism has to be carried on in accordance with the rule of law and human rights," Steinmeier added.<br /><br />Emphasising on the close ties between Pakistan and Germany, the Minister said that Germany has constantly been active in the energy sector in Pakistan, and its free-of-cost top class universities are increasingly becoming a popular destination for Pakistani students.<br /><br />Steinmeier also opposed death penalty and urged Pakistan to halt executions which were started in December last year after a moratorium of about six years when Taliban attacked a school and killed 150 people, mostly children.<br /><br />This was the third time Steinmeier visited Pakistan after two visits in 2007 and 2008 during his first tenure as Federal Foreign Minister. <br /></div>