By EuAsiaNews
Brussels : European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy , Benita Ferrero-Waldner, described EU-India ties as “excellent.”
“India is a very important strategic partner for us and we are working on all the different fronts with India,” she told a press conference in Brussels Wednesday afternoon in reply to a question by EuAsiaNews.
The Commissioner noted that soon there will be an important EU-India Troika meeting in which she intends to participate.
“We are not only working in the political dialogue but also on trade as an important partner,” stressed Ferrero-Waldner.
She pointed out that the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, is running big water and education projects in Rajasthan.
“Of course we are working in research areas where we think we have an excellent partner, India, but also in the big global questions like climate change and energy security.”
Replying to a question on the recently-held parliamentary elections in Pakistan,she said the report prepared by the EU election observation team noted that the polls complied with international standards.
“Of course they noted some deficiencies and those deficiencies have to be addressed by the future government,” said Ferrero-Waldner, a former foreign minister of Austria.
She said it will be particularly important to follow the recommendations of this EU election observation mission.
“We do hope that this (new) government will take up the recommendations because they which will enhance the democratic stability of the country,” added the Commissioner.
A 13-member Indian media delegation currently visiting Brussels attended the Commissioners’ press conference.
Meanwhile, the Members of the European Parliament (MEP) who monitored Pakistan’s general election on 18 February praised Pakistani voters and election officials who braved the threat of violence.
In a report to the EP’s foreign affairs committee on Tuesday, MEPs on the observer mission said the poll took place in a positive atmosphere although there were irregularities.
The EU sent a large observation mission to Pakistan, headed by German MEP Michael Gahler. It was made up of 131 observers from 23 EU countries and was present in Pakistan from December onwards.
During their mission they reported finding evidence that local authorities primarily favoured the former ruling parties during the campaign. There was also some disorder and some procedural
irregularities.
The EU election team will issue its a final report in mid-April.