New Delhi
30 November 2007
India and the European Union (EU) on Friday said that there is no
military solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka. A joint statement issued after the eighth EU -
India Summit here asked Colombo and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to
ensure respect for human rights and international humanitarian law and to guarantee
access for humanitarian aid to the population.
The joint statement read: "A negotiated, political settlement, acceptable to all
communities within the framework of a united Sri Lanka, is the goal that all international
efforts should encourage. A credible devolution package would be a major contribution to
this end."
Describing the eighth EU-India Summit as "an essay in mutual comprehension," Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh said that New Delhi gave its perspective on developments in
South Asia. "[It was] a useful discussion [on our neighbourhood]," he said.
India and the EU affirmed the need for an inclusive dialogue in Burma, including with Ms
Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burmese ethnic groups, to bring about genuine reconciliation
and progress towards democracy. 15. Both sides also expressed the hope that Pakistan
will soon return to stability and democracy.
They supported the reform process in Bangladesh, including preparations for general
parliamentary elections in 2008, but expressed deep disappointment at the
postponement of elections in Nepal. The Joint statement said that early elections to
choose at the earliest their own future and the manner of their governance through a free
and fair process, open to all without intimidation, are essential for the peace process to
stay on track.
The two sides expressed concern over the security situation in Afghanistan due to the
growth in terrorism and drug-related activities and reaffirmed their commitment to assist
the Afghan Government in the stabilisation and rebuilding of the country.
Both sides signed two agreements on the occasion. The Memorandum of Understanding
on European Commission-India Development Cooperation 2007-2010 was signed
between European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson and Union Minister of Finance
P Chidambaram. The EU-India agreement for cooperation in science and technology was
signed between Union Minister of Science and Technology and Ocean Development
Kapil Sibal on the Indian side and European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson and
Portuguese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Joao Gomes Cravinho
on the EU side.
Climate change and promoting energy security, Doha round of negotiations, and
disarmament and nonproliferation also figured in the talks.
// Other decisions //
* India likely to create an Indian parliamentary caucus for relations with the EU to
encourage interaction between parliamentarians from the two sides
* India and EU emphasised the urgent need to promote a comprehensive peace plan for
West Asia
* India and the EU condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed
by whomever, wherever and for whatever purpose. Strengthening cooperation to combat
terrorism continues to be one of the priority areas for the EU-India Strategic Partnership
* India and EU have agreed to start discussions towards establishment of a bilateral
agreement between Euratom and India in the field of fusion energy research to
complement the ITER Agreement
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