( dpa ) - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was Monday due to meet the European Union's foreign-policy chief, Javier Solana, during a European tour designed to improve his international profile and restore foreigners' confidence in his democratic credentials.
The visit comes as Musharraf's domestic popularity rating is at its lowest level since he took power in a bloodless coup in 1999. Abroad, his reputation has suffered from his decision to sack dozens of senior judges and impose emergency rule.
He is also accused by critics both at home and abroad of failing to provide adequate security to Benazir Bhutto, a former Pakistani prime minister who was assassinated in a gun and suicide attack on November 27.
In a statement, Solana's office said Monday's meeting in Brussels would provide the two sides with an opportunity to discuss "the latest developments in Pakistan and the wider region" as well as EU-Pakistan relations.
While in Brussels, Musharraf was also due to meet Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt and members of the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee.
His European tour will also see him meet French President Nicolas Sarzoky and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and attend the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.