Brussels, 04/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - The EU and India will meet this Friday 6 November for a summit, the 10th of its kind, to take place in New Delhi. This meeting, which comes between the EU's meetings with the United States (EUROPE 10012) and China (at the end of this month), will focus mainly on climate change. The reaction to the economic and financial crisis, the fight against terrorism, regional issues (Western Asia and the Middle East) and trade relations (in the framework of the Doha Round and bilateral negotiations for a free-trade agreement, which were launched in 2007 but desperately need a shot in the arm) will also be discussed. Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt will be welcomed by his Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh. He will be accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Bildt, President of the Commission José Manuel Barroso, and Commissioners for External Relations and Trade Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Catherine Ashton respectively.
The EU and India, which have been in a strategic partnership together since 2004 (EUROPE 8823), have progressively strengthened their relationship in the framework of an action plan initially adopted in 2005 (EUROPE 9022) and revised last year (EUROPE 9750) to extend their cooperation in the field of peace and global security, sustainable development, research and development and interpersonal contact and cultural exchange. In a press release published the day before the meeting, President Barroso reiterated the importance of talks with India on climate change: "By agreeing a position on climate finance last Friday in Brussels, the EU is signalling that we are all ready to help if developing countries and, in particular, emerging countries like India deliver". Prime Minister Reinfeldt said: "India has great potential in the areas of both energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. We are prepared to support India in the work to tackle climate change - if they are prepared to present concrete commitments in December".
Essentially, Friday's summit is likely to lead to the signature of an agreement between the EU and India in the field of fusion energy research, confirm the launch of a joint call for proposals of €10 million based on solar and photovoltaic technology, and establish two loans of the European Investment Bank for a total of €250 million in favour of the climate and energy sector (particularly projects to mitigate the effects of climate change and produce environmentally-friendly vehicles). (A.B./transl.fl)