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November 29, 2003
New Delhi

Joint Press Statement at the 4th India-EU Summit

The 4th Summit between India and the EU was held in New Delhi, India on 29th November, 2003. India was represented by Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was assisted by External Affairs Minister, Mr. Yashwant Sinha. The EU was represented by the Presidency of the European Council, Italian Minister of State for External Affairs, Mrs. Margherita Boniver, President of the European Commission, Mr. Romano Prodi, Secretary General/High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Mr. Javier Solana and the Commissioner [External Relations], Mr. Chris Patten.

The leaders sent the following message:

  1. We reviewed developments since the last India-EU Summit in Copenhagen in October, 2002. We expressed satisfaction with the positive outcome of this Summit which ahs further reinforced the India-EU relationship. We are particularly satisfied with the successful conclusion of an Indo-EU Customs Cooperation Agreement, India’s imminent participation in the development phase of Galileo Project and the launching of negotiations for an Indo-EU Maritime Agreement. We remain determined to develop this relationship further on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

  2. India and the EU, as global actors in the multipolar world, remain committed to strengthening the role of the UN in the development field, as well as in the maintenance of international peace and security. We undertook to work towards strengthening multilateral institutions based on the principles of international law.

  3. India and the EU are bound together by values of democracy and pluralism. We are willing to work together to promote pluralistic democracy in the world by laying special emphasis on democratic principles and practice. We encourage greater exchanges between the Indian Parliament and the European Parliament. We will also promote cooperation between political parties, trade unions, universities and civil societies. This would give expression to our shared commitment to democratic values.

  4. We affirmed that democracy provides a crucial safeguard for protection and promotion of Human Rights. All Human Rights including the right to personal, economic, social and cultural development are universal, indivisible, interdependent and inter-related. We believe in the equal importance of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights and are committed to their full realization. International cooperation needs to be harnessed for the protection and promotion of human rights through dialogue and mutual understanding in a comprehensive global framework. We affirmed our willingness to discuss Human Rights in a comprehensive manner.

  5. We agreed that terrorism is a global phenomenon that transcends border and region and can target any country. We expressed the belief that there can be no justification whatsoever for terrorism, and we support the fight against international terrorism, wherever it occurs and regardless of its motives. We affirmed our commitment to the universal ratification and implementation of all the UN Anti-terrorism Conventions. We called upon all States to fully implement their commitment under UNSC Resolution No. 1373 so as to ensure that their territories are not used for sponsoring terrorist activities against other States. We supported the early conclusion and adoption of the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. As democracies founded on the rule of law, India and the EU remain committed to ensuring compatibility of counter terrorism measures with universally accepted Human Rights standards and norms. We also called for progress towards the establishment of cooperation between Europol and Indian agencies.

  6. We expressed our common concerns about the link between cross border crimes particularly international drug-trafficking and terrorism and agreed to step up our common efforts to fight organised crimes, arms trafficking and money laundering, to combat drug abuse, international trafficking of illegal drugs and precursor chemicals.

  7. We look forward to the early entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol and reaffirmed the continued validity of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Recalling the New Delhi Declaration adopted at COP VIII, we agreed to work together for a successful outcome of COP IX, which will take place in Milan in next December.

  8. In Afghanistan, we strongly support the efforts of President Karzai’s Government to promote national reconciliation and build a peaceful, united and independent Afghanistan. We expressed concern at the continuing threats to security and stability in Afghanistan and expressed support for all measures, including those contained in UNSC Resolution No. 1510 aimed at improving, maintenance of peace and security and consolidation of authority in and outside Kabul. We remain committed to the re-construction and development of Afghanistan in partnership with the government and the people of that country, while stressing that non-interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan is a crucial factor in the return of peace and stability.

  9. We reviewed the Middle East situation and expressed our deep concern for the resurgence of violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories. We called for the sincere implementation, in letter and spirit, of the Quartet Road Map provisions by both the parties concerned. In line with the Road Map provisions and the relevant UNSC Resolutions, we called for a just, comprehensive and lasting resolution of the conflict, envisioning a region where two States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side within secure and recognised borders. Such a solution must also encompass Israel-Syria and Israel-Lebanon tracks.

  10. We reviewed the developments in Iraq and stressed the importance of the central role to be played by the UN in the restoration of peace and normalcy and the reconstruction and rehabilitation of that country. We emphasised the urgency of the adoption of a clearly laid out political process within a realistic time-frame, in order to allow the Iraqi people to determine their own political future and retain an effective control of their economic resources. We welcomed the UNSC Resolution No. 1511 and its request to the Iraqi Governing Council to report to the UN Security Council by 15th December, 2003 on a timetable and a programme for the drafting of a new constitution for Iraq and for holding of democratic elections under that constitution. We are committed to contributing towards humanitarian assistance for the people of Iraq and development and reconstruction of that country.

  11. We support the process of seeking a negotiated settlement acceptable to all sections of Sri Lankan society, consistent with democracy, pluralism and respect for individual rights, within the framework of a united Sri Lanka and called for an early resumption of negotiations.

  12. We shared a common analysis of the situation in Nepal, where we both support a settlement of the crisis, based on multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy.

  13. The EU warmly welcomed Prime Minister Vajpayee’s extending the hand of friendship to Pakistan in April 2003 and the latest peace initiatives through a series of wide-ranging steps taken and proposals made for enhancing interaction between the people of the two countries which would be essential for creating an atmosphere of trust and cooperation. The EU welcomed the ceasefire recently agreed upon between both parties as a further step towards the normalisation of India-Pakistan relations. The EU expressed the hope that the process could be continued and differences between the two countries resolved peacefully through dialogue. We reiterated the unacceptability of the use of terrorism in pursuit of political goals. India stated emphatically that there could be no negotiations until cross border terrorism ends.
     
  14. India welcomed the enlargement of the EU and the ongoing discussions on its future evolution. We both affirmed that deepening and widening of EU would further strengthen relations between us. We have also agreed to remain in touch on the evolution of our respective Foreign, Security and Defence policies. Both sides also noted the draft EU Security Strategy paper and in this context the two sides agreed for further consultations as dey partners for a strategic security relationship.
     
  15. We remain committed to intensifying economic dialogue at all levels with a view to improving substantially market access and investment.
     
  16. We expressed our resolve to facilitate and enhance trade by working together in a constructive manner in seeking speedy and amicable solutions to a number of specific trade issues including those relating to Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Technical Regulations and Standards, and Conformity Assessment Procedures.
     
  17. We called for continuation of the dialogue at experts level to promote better understanding of Trade Defence Instruments.
     
  18. We welcomed the conclusions of the India-EU Business Summit and expressed our commitment to implement the Action Plans emanating from the ‘Joint Initiative for Enhancing Trade & Investment’. We commended the study on the emerging opportunities from EU’s enlargement, and encouraged industry to take full advantage of those opportunities. Both sides urged Industry to reflect on how to further develop their partnership.
     
  19. We agreed to launch a ~Trade and Investment Development Programme ~ with a view to enhance bilateral trade and investment through the strengthening and the simplification of the administrative and regulatory regimes and capacity building at the government and private sector level.
     
  20. We reiterated our commitment to work towards further strengthening of the multilateral trading regime under the WTO. We affirmed that multilateral rules fairly agreed upon benefit every one. We reaffirmed that trade can play a positive role in development and that development should remain central to the ongoing negotiations in the WTO. We welcomed the support of our business communities to our dialogue on these issues. We remain committed to driving forward all aspects of Doha Work Programme in a balanced manner including improved market access and the Development of WTO rules, as well as the issues of Special and Differential Treatment and Resolution of Implementation Related Concerns of particular interest to developing countries. We are committed to the successful conclusion of the current Doha round of negotiations as also confirmed by the Ministers of the WTO Members at Cancun, and we invite all WTO Members to participate actively and constructively to the resumption of work in Geneva.
     
  21. We remain committed to creating an appropriate economic environment for trade in services and especially in the growth of bilateral trade and investment including through the facilitation of the movement of skilled persons and professionals and enhancement of available infrastructure.
     
  22. We expressed common commitment to promote shared values in education and culture by offering opportunities to the scholars to pursue academic activities. We agreed to launch an EU Scholarship Programme for the Masters and Doctoral level.
     
  23. We reaffirmed our commitment to the fight against poverty and noted the progress made in preparatory activities for two new important development initiatives, namely, Disaster Preparedness Programme, and a Partnership for Progress in Social Development.
     
  24. The vision of a vibrant Information Society and its fullest possible development is jointly shared by us. We decided to work together to further enhance bilateral cooperation in streamlining the regime for electronic communication services and designing an adequate regulatory framework for electronic commerce including digital signatures. We also agreed to jointly support the 2004 Euro-India Cooperation Forum on the Information Society that will be held in New Delhi on 24-26 March, 2004. We strongly recommended Indian and European industry, business and research bodies to grasp this unique opportunity.
     
  25. We encouraged the scientific community to take advantage of the immense potential created by the Science & Technology Agreement and other available instruments.
     
  26. We noted the successful implementation of the Indo-EU Civil Aviation Cooperation Project and the Indo-EU Maritime Project. We acknowledged the importance of efficient transport links to trade and economic growth. We noted the launching of negotiations for an Indo-EU Maritime Agreement covering issues of interest to both sides.
     
  27. Recognising the vital importance of satellite navigation and positioning for our economies and societies, we agreed to cooperate in developing the GALILEO programme. We expressed our willingness to open negotiations to conclude and agreement between India and EU to formalize India’s equitable participation in the Galileo programme, starting with participation in the GALILEO Joint Undertaking.
      
  28. We expressed satisfaction at the successful conclusion of an Indo-EU Customs Cooperation Agreement.

Agenda for action:

We agree on the following agenda for action;

    1. Ensure in depth discussions on all aspects of bilateral relations between India and EU within the framework of our institutional architecture.

    2. Discuss Democracy and Human Rights in a comprehensive manner.

    3. Intensify cooperation to promote peace, stability and reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraq.

    4. Increase cooperation to counter international terrorism through implementation of the Declaration against International Terrorism adopted at the New Delhi Summit in 2001, and the UNSC Resolution No. 1373. Work towards early conclusion and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.

    5. Promote exchanges between the Indian Parliament and the European Parliament as well as Civil Society Interaction.

    6. Review the implementation of the Action Plans emerging from the sectoral studies conducted in the first two rounds of the ‘Joint initiative for Enhancing Trade & Investment’ and the study on implications of EU Enlargement.

    7. Take steps to facilitate organization of the first India-EC Steering Committee on S&T cooperation and secure its approval for (i) arrangements for the implementation of the agreed modes of cooperation and (ii) India-EU projects and other cooperative activities.

    8. Continue high-level dialogue on multilateral trade issues.

    9. Continue dialogue at the experts level to promote better understanding of the Trade Defence Instruments.

    10. Enhance cooperation in the area of data protection and cyber security in the information society sector.

    11. Find ways and means as to how best we can support and facilitate the movement of professionals and the enhancement of infrastructure.

    12. Launch a Euro 14 million ~Trade and Investment Development Programme~ to enhance bilateral trade and investment.

    13. Ensure an early launch of approximately Euro 30 million Scholarship Programme for the Masters and Doctoral level to promote academic networking.

    14. Launch a Euro 10 million Disaster Preparedness Programme and ensure an early launch of two State Partnership Programmes for a total commitment of Euro 160 million.

    15. Ensure an early launch of the negotiations for an Indo-EU Maritime Agreement covering issues of interest to both sides.

    16. Extend ongoing bilateral project in the Civil Aviation sector.

    17. Collaborate in the development and operation of the Galileo Project.

    18. Work for early entering into force of an Indo-EU Customs Cooperation Agreement.