New Delhi, Nov 29: India and European Union today agreed on an 18-point agenda for action including increased cooperation to counter global terrorism and intensify steps to promote peace, stability and reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraq. A joint statement issued at the end of the 4th India-EU summit today also decided to continue high-level dialogue on multilateral trade issues, launch a 14 million Euro trade and investment development programme to promote economic cooperation besides efforts to double bilateral trade to 50 billion dollars.
The statement issued at the conclusion to two-day summit between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and European Union President Romano Prodi decided to ensure an early launch of 30 million Euro scholarship programme for the masters and doctoral level to promote academic networking.
Two agreements were signed including the one for the EU-India trade an investment development programme. Another agreement was inked for India-EU customs cooperation.
The two sides have also decided to have a maritime transport agreement which would help modernise Indian maritime industry, reduce shipping times and costs and provide stability for economic operators.
The customs cooperation agreement would improve trade facilitation and fight against fraud related to the Indian and European legislation by providing a legal basis for mutual administrative assistance. Bureau Report