The Hindu : National : India-European Union strategic alliance mooted

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 23, 2004

National

National

India-European Union strategic alliance mooted

By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 22. The European Commission has called for a strategic alliance to promote an effective multilateral approach between the European Union and India, suggesting that the two entities coordinate their positions on a number of issues concerning security, trade, environment, development and human rights.

The Commission, which is the executive body of the E.U., has sent a communication on these lines to the European Council as well as the European Parliament, in the form of a document entitled "An E.U.-India Strategic Partnership" that was released to the press here.

The E.U. Ambassador in India, Francisco Da Camara Gomes, said at a press conference today that this document, still to be adopted by the Council, should receive Indian attention in the form of comments and suggestions. The idea is that after the European Council comes up with a final view, it could be presented for consideration at the Fifth E.U.-India Summit in October 2004.

This new strategy could take the form of an "action plan" and a new joint E.U.-India "political declaration" to be adopted at the Sixth Summit in 2005.

"The E.U. and India should ... hold continuous dialogue on organisational and institutional restructuring and reform of the United Nations, in particular as regards the U.N. High-Level Plan on Threats, Challenges and Change and on the implementation of its likely outcome," the document said.

According to the paper, the E.U. was strongly committed to peace and stability in South Asia. "It has consistently encouraged dialogue between India and Pakistan, condemned all forms of terrorism and violence and expressed its readiness to support a peace process.

While Kashmir is primarily a bilateral issue with international implications, the E.U. can offer its own unique experience as an example of building peace and forging partnerships." In addition, the E.U. should develop a regional approach to relations with South Asia. "A South Asia strategy paper could be formulated, which should set out how the E.U. could contribute to peace, security and prosperity and support regional integration."

The paper said that India had become an increasingly important international and regional power. "It has considerably strengthened relationships with the U.S., China and ASEAN. Its huge size and economic and military clout make it the major power in South Asia. Peace talks with Pakistan will, if successful, bring enormous benefit to the whole region."

"India's economic growth has also been impressive, and the economy has benefited greatly from market-oriented and open policies. But these benefits have not been spread evenly amongst its citizens — the large majority of the population still live on less than $2 a day..."

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National