Brussels, 16/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - Security and trade are the two main points on the agenda in Bangalore on 16 and 17 January for EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, who on Monday co-chaired a ministerial meeting to prepare for the 12th annual EU/India summit to be held in New Delhi on 10 February, alongside the Indian foreign minister, S. M. Krishna.
Regional and international security dominated the agenda of the ministerial meeting, which discussed issues from cyber-security to the fight against piracy off the coast of Somalia. Ashton and Krishna also exchanged views on Iran, Syria and the Middle East and North Africa, and discussed regional security in Asia - Afghanistan, relations with Pakistan, Sri Lanka and China. The high representative stressed the importance of developing cooperation between the EU and India on security as a symbol of the deepest political commitment between the two partners. On Tuesday, Lady Ashton will meet Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony, and National Security Adviser S. S. Menon.
The high representative and her Indian host also discussed the future free-trade agreement between the EU and India, negotiations for which entered a decisive phase at the end of last year, with an intensification of talks at technical level to resolve major pending issues before the summit of 10 February. Catherine Ashton reaffirmed the EU's commitment to conclude “as soon as possible” an agreement which she described as being of “enormous importance” to both partners, their populations and businesses. “Our increased collaboration via trade and investment is a way of guaranteeing higher growth in the future”, stressed the head of European diplomacy. Talks on an EU/India free-trade agreement, which were launched in 2007, have entered a critical phase. European and Indian negotiators must find common ground over key dossiers, such as non-tariff barriers, services and public procurement.
Lastly, Ashton and Krishna discussed the fight against climate change and the Community system for trading in CO2 emissions. High Representative Ashton is confident that the Indian air fleet will manage to “successfully” comply with the requirements of the ETS. (EH/transl.fl)