Brussels / Lisbon, 29/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - "In the 21st century the EU and India shall build a new strategic partnership founded on shared values and aspirations", states the joint declaration adopted in Lisbon on 28 June, after the first "historic" summit between the European Union and India. An "action plan" announces strengthening of political cooperation, mainly for the fight against terrorism and drugs trafficking and to promote the elimination of nuclear weapons. At the commercial level, both parties agree to organise cooperation within the WTO and promote bilateral trade so that they achieve their potential level. Regarding cooperation, the Heads of State urged for the rapid conclusion of a cooperation agreement in the science and technology sector and for initiatives to be launched in the information technologies and education sectors. Both parties agreed to hold the next Summit in India in 2001. In the meantime, regular meetings will be continued at ministerial and senior official level.
- Security issues. Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres recalled the EU's concerns regarding India's nuclear weapons programme and urged New Delhi to negotiate a solution with Pakistan regarding Kashmir. Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee told the press that India is willing to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). The Indian Prime Minister gave his assurance that Parliament would discuss the matter during its next session. He pointed out that both parties stress their "readiness to work with others for an early commencement of negotiations for a treaty ending the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons and reaffirm our commitment to stringent and effective export controls".
- Kashmir. Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh remarked that his country remains open to dialogue but Pakistan must first of all stop promoting and encouraging crossborder terrorism and using the Jihad as a foreign policy instrument so that there may be a climate that is appropriate for dialogue.
- Bilateral trade. Stressing that the EU is India's largest trading partner, the joint declaration affirms, however, that "we share the view that the current volume of bilateral trade and investment between the EU and India falls far short of its potential". Bilateral trade currently amounts to $22 billion annually. The aim would be to increase this to $40 billion by the year 2010, said the Indian Prime Minister speaking before a business forum.
- Multilateral trade. Both parties agreed to organise, twice yearly, discussions at the level of senior officials in order to identify common approaches. The joint declaration notes that the EU and India agree that "the objective of any such negotiations should be to enhance market access, develop and strengthen WTO rules and disciplines, support economic growth, development needs, and integration into the trading system of developing countries, and contribute to the goal of sustainable development".
- 22-point Action Plan. The agenda for action included in the joint declaration agrees on the following actions to: 1) enhance bilateral dialogue by holding further regular summits, foreign minister meetings each year and senior officials and experts' meetings each semester; 2) coordinate efforts to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms; 3) initiate dialogue on preventing and combating terrorism and to strive for a comprehensive convention on international terrorism; 4) strengthen cooperation to combat international drug trafficking and drug abuse; 5) cooperate closely in identifying and furthering common interests in international organisations; 6) continue to work together to eradicate chemical and biological weapons; 7) work together for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons, proliferation and their means of delivery; 8) launch the India-EU Round Table; 9) launch the EU-India Think Tank Network; 10) continue to strengthen the High Level Economic and Commercial Dialogue on bilateral and multilateral trade, economic and financial issues; 11) commence joint initiatives in the field s of information technology and telecommunications; 12) work towards an Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology; 13 draw up plans on cooperation in culture and education and for exchange of expertise in the field of management; 14) endeavour to complete the elaboration of a new sector programme in elementary education within the year; 15) join efforts towards setting up an Institute of Environment Technology in India; 16) Promote bilateral initiatives in the field of environment and facilitating coordination on multilateral environmental issues; 17) further enhance economic cooperation for rapid development of infrastructure, including telecommunications, energy and transport, in India; 18) work jointly to promote and increase flows of goods and services between the EU and India; 19) address all obstacles with a view to stimulating EU investment in India; 20) facilitate industry and business links; 21) consult each other within the existing for a on anticipated regulatory and other measures affecting the flow of trade, investment and services with a view to resolving problems at an early stage; and 22° establish a regular high level dialogue on WTO issues.
