Brussels, 28/08/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission adopted a five-year cooperation strategy with India. The EU is expected to make EUR 225 million available to New Delhi for development and economic cooperation over this period.
The main objective of EU/India cooperation is to help India to build its "human capital" by dedicating its resources to making elementary education universal, improving health services in favour of the hitherto deprived population groups, and restoring and safeguarding a healthy environment. To achieve this aim, the cooperation programme deployed by the EU in India will place emphasis on the following: 1) investing resources in a "Partnership for Progress" initially with one Indian state that is committed to reducing poverty by pursuing a social and economic reform agenda. This initial "Partnership" could be followed by a second in due course; 2) working with the Indian authorities to create an enabling economic environment. The EU will share its expertise, including in science and technology, to help India unlock the full potential of its economy, achieve better returns on its vast economic assets through regulatory reform, privatisation and fiscal reform. It will also seek to facilitate the exchange of talented students, scholars and the collaboration of scientists from both sides.
The main cross themes of EU cooperation strategy will concern improving governance, and the devolution of decision-making and management and the participation of stakeholders, in particular women and segments of the population that have been traditionally disadvantaged when articulating their interests. The EU will also assist India to be better prepared for natural disasters.