New Delhi: The European Union (EU) today (Nov 28) hoped the ceasefire along the Indo-Pak border would lead to an end in infiltration from across the border and a solution to the Kashmir issue.

"We are pleased with the confidence-building measures initiated by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee," EU External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten said in New Delhi, adding, "We hope infiltration along the Line of Control will dry up."

The "generous" healing touch policy adopted in Jammu and Kashmir was also a positive step that would help in moving forward in the resolution of the Kashmir issue, he said.

European Union was willing to offer any assistance to carry forward the Indo-Pak dialogue if India so desired, he said. "The international community will oblige if India wanted it to do so," he put in.

But as a person involved in the peace dialogue in Northern Ireland, he would not have liked any help from Indian authorities on the vexed issue, Patten said. He understood India's position that the Indo-Pak issue should be resolved bilaterally.

PTI