The Hindu : National : India, E.U. favour `effective multilateralism'

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Friday, Sep 09, 2005

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India, E.U. favour `effective multilateralism'

Diplomatic Correspondent

They agree to open security dialogue at the level of senior officials Manmohan Singh hails the framework agreement on Indian participation in the Galileo satellite navigation system

NEW DELHI: India and the European Union have agreed to promote a policy of "effective multilateralism," in which the United Nations will play a central role, as the best way of addressing global challenges.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, European Council chief Tony Blair and European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso, who held high-level interactions during the sixth India-E.U. summit here on Wednesday, also agreed to consult each other on "thematic issues" ahead of the U.N. General Assembly session.

Addressing a joint press conference on Wednesday, Dr. Singh hailed the framework agreement on Indian participation in the Galileo satellite navigation system and European support for New Delhi's entry into the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER).

In a joint action plan, the two sides agreed to establish an India-E.U. security dialogue at the level of senior officials, which will include regular consultations on global and regional security issues, disarmament and non-proliferation to increase mutual understanding and identify possible areas of cooperation.

Shared interest

The plan said India and the E.U. had a shared interest in working towards achieving the goals and objectives of universal disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. "The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and its linkages with terrorism pose a threat to international peace and security."

"We believe that our response to [nuclear] proliferation challenges requires strengthened multilateral consultations and the pooling of all efforts and resources. We agree that effective export control measures for dual use goods can play an important role in preventing proliferation, and at the same time, such measures should not hamper international cooperation in materials, equipment and technology for peaceful purposes," they said.

The two sides recognised that terrorism constituted one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and reaffirmed their condemnation of all acts of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, irrespective of their motivations, forms and manifestations.

"We propose to work together to strengthen our cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts in accordance with the U.N. Charter and applicable principles of international law," the action plan said. They would strive to fight money laundering and monitor suspicious transactions.

Mr. Barroso said the E.U. "very much supported" India's entry into the ITER project and looked forward to New Delhi's participation.

Mr. Barroso, who came to India after a summit meeting with China, said these two countries had become the major drivers for globalisation. "Globalisation is not a trap, it's a challenging opportunity."

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