India, EU to talk on situation in Pak, Afghanistan

New Delhi, Jun 21 (PTI) Security situation in the region,
including in Pakistan and Afghanistan and bilateral issues are
likely to dominate the meeting between the High Representative
of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine
Ashton and External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Tuesday.
"The main focus of Catherine Ashton's visit is the EU
-India Ministerial meeting in Delhi. The two sides will
discuss a wide range of bilateral and global issues including
terrorism, piracy, climate, energy, trade and the financial
crisis, as well as regional matters, including Afghanistan and
Pakistan," a statement from the EU said here Monday.
Aimed at giving impetus to India-EU relationship, the
visit of Ashton, who will be here for four days, will also
focus on enhancing economic and security ties as also prepare
the 11th EU-India summit later this year.
During her stay here, she will hold talks with Krishna
and both sides will discuss "bilateral, regional and
international issues of mutual interest", a release by the
External Affairs Ministry said.
She will hold a number of bilateral meetings with key
leaders and policymakers, including National Security Adviser
Shiv Shankar Menon, the EU release added.
The two countries already have a joint working mechanism
on counter-terrorism.
The last EU-India annual summit held in November 2009,
here attempted to revitalise the EU-India Counter-Terrorism
cooperation.
Prior to the summit the visit of the EU Counter-Terrorism
Coordinator, Gilles de Kerchove, his deliberations with Indian
counterparts paved the way for reaffirmation of combating the
challenge of international terrorism.
The two sides are also currently engaged in the
negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement.
The bilateral trade between the 27-nation bloc and India
is estimated to be over USD 50 billion and they are targeting
to double it by 2013. PTI PYK
RBT


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