By EuAsiaNews,
Brussels : Frustration in the political capital of the European Enion is growing that relations and cooperation between India and the 27-member European bloc remain largely limited to the domain of economy and trade although the two sides in 2004 signed a strategic partnership agreement
But Brussels is now adamant to change this situation.
“We are frustrated that ties are fixed on trade and economy. They are important but it must go beyond that,” EU sources said here, ahead of the 10th EU-India summit to take place in New Delhi on Friday.
“We want to develop political aspects to deal with global issues,” said the sources speaking on condition of anonymity.
The EU has put three priorities on the agenda for Friday’s summit, climate change and energy, trade , and security.
Just a few weeks ahead of the Copenhagen summit, climate change and energy is expected to dominate the discussions.
Last week during their summit, EU leaders agreed on financing for developing countries to fight climate change but did not determine the amount the European bloc will pay.
Brussels says developing countries will need 100 billion euros every year by 2020 to fight climate change. But who will foot the bill is anybody’s guess.
On the ongoing EU-India negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the EU wants to put “new momentum” to finalise the agreement.
EU sources said they expect a “lot of progress” on the FTA negotiations – which began two years ago – within the next ten months.
On energy, the EU is interested in developing joint venture cooperation with India in the sector of solar energy.
The New Delhi summit will see the signature of a Co-operation Agreement between Euratom (the European Atomic Energy Community) and India in the field of fusion energy research as well as the launch of a call for proposals for research in the field of solar energy.
On security, the EU believes there is “fertile ground” for developing cooperation with India in the fight against terrorism and crisis management.
India is seen as a major contributor to peace keeping forces around the globe and the EU is interested in joint peace keeping operations in Africa such as combating piracy off Somalia.
The recent visit of EU’s anti-terrorism czar , Gilles de Kerchove, to New Delhi is considered here as “extremely important” for the future development of EU-India cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
Brussels is also looking forward to establish soon a cooperation agreement with Europol, the European Police.
Last February, EU Interior Ministers decided to add India to the list of countries with which the director of Europol is authorised to start negotiations on cooperation agreements.
Europol , based at the Hague, provides support to the law enforcement agencies of the EU member states, to improve their effectiveness and co-operation in preventing and combating serious forms of international organised crime.
Further, the EU wants a “solid and deep dialogue” with India on regional cooperation to promote peace and stability in countries such as Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal.
EU and India have held regular political dialogue since their first bilateral Summit in 2000 in Lisbon and since 2004, EU-India relations have been elevated into a concrete strategic partnership.
Brussels sees India as one of the fastest growing economies of the world and a central partner of the EU in addressing many global challenges .
Added importance to the New Delhi meeting is that it comes only two days after the EU-US summit in Washington on Tuesday where many of the common global challenges will be tackled.
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt whose country holds the current EU Presidency is expected to chair the meeting from the EU side which will include the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, EU Commissioner for external relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner, as well as EU Commissioner for trade Catherine Ashton.