EU and Pakistan plan summit on June 17

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union and Pakistan plan to hold their first summit on June 17 in Brussels, a source at the EU's Czech presidency said Saturday.

The 27-country EU and the United States want to boost ties with Pakistan because of concern about the spread of Islamic militancy there.

"The EU wants to help strengthen the civilian government in Pakistan by showing strong support on the highest level," the source said.

He said the summit topics would include the fight against terrorism, enhanced cooperation over the rule of law and ways to improve the trade relationship between the two sides. The June 17 date is provisional.

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom; writing by Dale Hudson; editing by Andrew Roche)