Brussels, 06/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - "The leaders expressed satisfaction with the rapid expansion of the relationship between the EU and India since the first summit in 2000, which is now deeper and stronger, founded on a global, strategic and mutually beneficial partnership", reads the joint declaration agreed upon on Friday 6 November at the end of the 10th summit between the EU and India, which took place in New Delhi. In his capacity as president of the Council of the EU, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"The relationship between the EU and India is strong and built on common values such as democracy and diversity. And the relationship has the potential to become even stronger", said Fredrik Reinfeldt, after the summit between the EU and India, with an agenda dominated by the climate (see other article in the General Information section).
Afghanistan. Having spoken out in the strongest possible terms against the attacks in Kabul, the EU and India voiced their "serious concern" at the "continuous deterioration" of the security situation in Afghanistan and stressed that all parties concerned must “continue to fight terrorism", according to the declaration. "What happens in Afghanistan has greater repercussions on India than on any other country, it is therefore extremely important for us that progress is made. We greatly appreciate the efforts made by the international community", said Prime Minister Singh.
Iran. The leaders on both sides welcomed recent discussions between China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, the EU and Iran on the Iranian nuclear programme. The EU and India stressed the need for "intensive and constructive" dialogue to seek a negotiated solution on the Iranian nuclear issue. Iran is called upon to observe all of its international obligations.
Terrorism. The EU and India look forward to advancing the negotiations between Europol and the Indian authorities in order to conclude an agreement which will reinforce cooperation in the field of counter terrorism. The cooperation to be set in place with India concerns mainly the exchange of information.
Nuclear energy. At the summit, an EU/India cooperation agreement on nuclear energy research was also signed. Amongst other things, the agreement relates to the exchange of information and data in this field, and the exchange of researchers and experts in the framework of various research activities. This text is available at: (http: //http://www.se2009.eu/polopoly_fs/1.22337 !menu/standard/file/IN-EU%20Coop%20Agreement% 20on%20FUSION%20energy%20research.pdf).
Economic crisis. As anticipated, the Europeans and Indians pledged to continue the commitments they made at the Pittsburgh G20 to respond to the economic crisis and to remodel the international financial architecture. The parties therefore reiterated their commitment to send out a "strong political response" to the crisis to ensure economic upturn, prepare an internationally coordinated strategy to get out of crisis and to reinforce and reform the regulatory and financial advisory systems. In this context, the parties agreed to intensify their dialogue on financial services.
Doha Round. In their declaration, the two sides also renewed their commitment to resist protectionism and stressed "the importance" of concluding multilateral trade negotiations of the Doha Round in 2010, via an "ambitious" and "well-balanced" agreement which responds to the development objectives of the round. To this end, the parties welcomed the impulse given by the New Delhi ministerial meeting in early September and stated their commitment to "seek solutions" promoting the conclusion of an agreement which must "significantly" stimulate the flow of agricultural trade, industrial products and services and lay down transparent and simplified and procedures. Reiterating the need to conclude an agreement on the basis of progress made in the details, the two sides called on the other members of the WTO rapidly to communicate their demands. "In the absence of progress in this timetable, the objective of concluding the Round in 2010 will be in jeopardy", they warn.
Free-trade agreements. At bilateral level, the Europeans and Indians reaffirmed their "shared objective" of concluding an "ambitious and well-balanced" agreement on trade and investment. Taking note of progress in negotiations since 2007, the parties expressed their intention to continue their talks with a view to concluding the agreement "as soon as possible". Meeting Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton and Swedish Trade Minister Ewa Björling on the sidelines of the summit, Indian Trade Minister Anand Sharma told the EU that India refused to discuss non-commercial issues relating to human rights and child labour in the framework of the negotiations for the free-trade agreement. "We are clear that these are extraneous issues. We have strong legislation on issues like child labour. Inclusion of these issues will be counter-productive", stressed Mr Sharma, quoted by the Financial Express. Nonetheless, the Indian daily newspaper reported, the meeting allowed the two sides to level out their differences of opinion over the dossiers of the Indian regime for the taxation of wines and areas and access to generic medicines. (L.C./E.H./trans.fl)