ISLAMABAD - The European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Tuesday opposed Pakistan's talks with Al-Qaeda in a bid to quell terrorism in the tribal regions, but said he supported the negotiations with Taliban militants. Addressing a news conference here with the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi after their formal talks, Solana said that Al-Qaeda leaders were operating outside Pakistan's constitution and law. In response to a question on his support to the idea of Pakistan negotiating with the Al-Qaeda, he replied firmly, "The answer is no." However, he supported Pakistan's bid to hold dialogue with the Taliban militants in tribal areas. He said, "It is up to the country to give benefit to those who want to contribute to the well-being of the state by participating in a dialogue which is under the umbrella of the Constitution of the country." He said only Pakistani troops had the right to conduct operations on their soil and not the external forces. To a question, he said we were supportive of dialogue process between Pakistan and India for the resolution of all issues including Kashmir. The EU foreign policy chief also held meetings with President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani. Speaking on the occasion, Foreign Minister Qureshi said, "The government would want to give dialogue and reconciliation its utmost full chance." Answering a query, he said the release of Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat Muhammadi's chief Sufi Muhammad was a good confidence-building measure. He said that he present government had decided to engage politically. Nonetheless, he said the government had also other options if it felt that the other side was trying to exploit the arrangement. He said there was no linkage between Sufi Muhammad's release with the efforts to seek release of Pakistan's ambassador to Kabul, Tariq Azizzuddin, who is currently being held by unknown kidnappers claiming to be Taliban. "The initiative has been taken to support reconciliatory environment and support the process of dialogue that we intend to initiate," he said. Foreign Minister Qureshi also belied the impression that troops were being withdrawn from tribal areas. He added that army would remain there till a final decision was taken in this regard.   To another query, he said that Pakistan was eager to enter into Free Trade Agreement with EU and implementation of the proposal would only become possible after the arrival of joint study group report later this year. He said EU was a major trade ally of Pakistan and we wanted access to its markets. He said the matter of abolition of anti-dumping duty imposed on Pakistani bed linen was also discussed. "We hope positive results will soon come out in this regard," he added. Responding to another question, he said durable peace and stability in Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan. "It is imperative that poppy cultivation in Afghanistan and drug trafficking are curbed," he added. He said conspiracies were being hatched by some European countries to malign Islam. "The need is to give serious consideration to them. Interfaith dialogue process should be taken forward for the establishment of durable relations between west and east," he added. About the Election-2008 report that was released recently by the EU observers, he said it would be tabled in the national assembly for the debate. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani in is meeting with Javier Solana asked all the members of the European Union to extend assistance in supporting the multi-pronged strategy to combat extremism, which stems from economic deprivation and disparity. Prime Minister said that Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with the European Union and desired to further increase cooperation in all the fields. The Prime Minister said that there was great scope to raise the existing level of trade and commercial ties between Pakistan and European Union and called for extending the economic facilities to Pakistan as being given to other countries. The Prime Minister appreciated the role of the European Union Observers during the general election in Pakistan and their valuable observations made in their report. The Prime Minister while reiterating the coalition government's commitment to fight terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations said that it was part of the agenda of all the political parties in the government. The success of moderate forces in the general elections had given a new impetus to this commitment, he added. "Our strategy to combat terrorism particularly in areas bordering Afghanistan include economic dispensation, political dialogue and administrative measures", the Prime Minister said. These efforts, he added would promote democratic values and would help bring the area in the fold of national activities. He however reaffirmed that no compromise would be made with the militants. The Prime Minister said that law and order coupled with economic difficulties were the main challenges inherited by the government. "The policies are being devised accordingly to overcome the difficulties being faced by the people," he added. The Prime minister while referring to the political developments in Pakistan said that the people have reposed confidence on our manifesto, which mentions the revival of 1973 constitution in its original form, also unanimously passed by all political parties. The supremacy of the parliament is enshrined in the 1973 Constitution, which clearly defines the role of all institutions of the state, he added. As regards the regional situation the Prime Minister said that Pakistan wants good relations with all its neighbours in the interest of peace and economic prosperity of the region. Javier Solana while congratulating the Prime Minister on his election said that his presence and meetings with the leadership was a manifestation of European Union's support for the democratic government in Pakistan. "The European Union desires to forge stronger and comprehensive relations with Pakistan covering trade and development cooperation as well," he added. He assured that the European Union would extend every possible assistance and cooperation to help Pakistan improve its economy and meet the challenges. Online adds: President Pervez Musharraf has said that he has no conflict with the new government and enjoys a good relationship with the new democratic setup. He expressed these views while talking to European Union Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana, who called on him at the presidential camp office in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. President told the chief that he has fulfilled his promise made to the nation and the world by bringing democratic stability in the country, the sources told. President Musharraf emphasised the need to address the root cause of terrorism and has proposed a joint strategy by all the allies to combat this menace. He said that Pakistan has made enormous sacrifices in the war on terror and become a victim of terror and extremism itself. However, he reiterated that no foreign forces would be allowed to use our soil for fighting this war. President Musharraf said that we want stability in Afghanistan as it would be in the best interest not only for Pakistan but also for the entire region. He said that we have good relations with NATO forces and the forces working under Hamid Karzai's regime. Strongly condemning the blasphemous caricatures appearing in Danish newspapers the President stressed the need of inter-faith harmony and asked the Danish government to control such incidents that harmed the sentiments of every Muslim. The president said that Pakistan want to enhance ties with EU in all sectors particularly in the trade and economic sectors. The two leaders also discussed Pakistan's nuclear program and EU's objections on the Iranian nuclear program. The President said that we support Iranian nuclear program as long as it is for peaceful and civilian purposes as every country has the right to meet their energy needs and security concerns. Mr Solana appreciated the reforms in Pakistan to establish the rule of law. He said the EU wants to step up its engagement with Pakistan in order to promote regional and domestic stability, encourage democracy and help consolidate its position as a moderate Muslim state, the sources added. He said that EU is encouraged by the general election held in February 18 that paved the way for a democratic set up in the country. He lauded the role of Pakistan to counter terrorism in the region and added that international efforts to promote stability at a regional level notably in Afghanistan also required stronger ties and cooperation with Pakistan.