The Hindu : India, E.U. summit on Nov. 29

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 26, 2003

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India, E.U. summit on Nov. 29

By Amit Baruah

NEW DELHI NOV. 25. The European Commission president, Romano Prodi, and the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, will be in New Delhi on November 29 for attending the fourth India, European Union summit. The Italian Ambassador to India, Benedetto Amari, and his European Commission (E.C.) counterpart, Francisco da Camara Gomes, told presspersons today that India and the E.U. had agreed to cooperate on the Galileo project, the first satellite and navigation system specifically designed for civil purposes.

Although the finer details were being worked out, Mr. Amari said the Indian financial commitment was likely to be more than that of the Chinese Government. An accord for customs' cooperation to develop more efficient and transparent customs procedures will also be signed as will be a maritime agreement to improve conditions of sea transport between India and E.U. nations.

On November 28 and 29, there will be a business summit between the E.U. and India. The E.U. External Relations Commissioner, Chris Patten, and the High Representative for a Common and Foreign Security Policy, Javier Solana, will also attend it.

"Politics is at the helm," Mr. Gomes, new E.C. Ambassador, told presspersons about the coming summit, the fourth in as many years between India and the E.U. Mr. Amari said the E.U. and India were keen on strengthening the United Nations system and were jointly committed to promoting a pluralistic democracy in the world. They were also agreed that there was no justification for terrorism — a menace that did not recognise any frontiers.

The E.U., he said, appreciated the recent steps taken by the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, for building a better climate of relations with Pakistan. Asked if there would be a condemnation of cross-border terrorism in any joint formulation issued after the summit, Mr. Amari said the Indian side would certainly reiterate its position on the issue.

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