Hurriyat groups slam EU remark

Gomes’ statement will have no bearing on the ‘‘disputed’’ nature of Kashmir issue, he said. Ansari, who held two rounds of talks with the Centre, said his faction was holding dialogue because they consider Kashmir as a dispute and want its solution through peaceful means.

‘‘We have been saying it earlier and we reiterate it today that talks with the Centre has been initiated because we consider Kashmir as a dispute. This needs resolution through negotiations and that is what we are trying to do,’’ Ansari said. He said whatever EU says is not the fact.

Gomes told mediapersons after the first day of the India-EU roundtable on June 18 that Kashmir is a part of India like any other part.

A spokesman of the breakaway Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani termed Gomes’ remarks as ridiculous but said it would have no bearing on the ‘‘disputed nature’’ of Kashmir issue.

‘‘We want to reiterate that Kashmir issue has its own history. All countries of the civilised world including European countries are aware about its history,’’ he said.