By IANS,
Brussels : The European Union (EU) is “very closely” following the issue of two Italian marines jailed in Kerala state of India since the beginning, EuAsia News reported Wednesday.
An EU spokeswoman told journalists in Brussels that the case was being followed “very closely from the very beginning in particular through the EU delegation in New Delhi and through close contacts with Italian diplomacy”.
“Following the request of Italy, we are now undertaking contacts that are aimed at contributing at finding a satisfactory solution for this case as soon as possible,” said Maja Kocijancic, a spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
“I cannot go into further details of our diplomatic efforts but I can confirm that we are actively pursuing that,” she said.
Two Indian fishermen, Ajesh Binki and Gelastine, were mistaken as pirates and shot dead by the security crew of cargo vessel Enrica Lexie on Feb 15. The two Italian marines were subsequently arrested for the shooting.
“We never specified this as a bilateral issue… but Italy is in the lead. We have been in contact with the Italian authorities.
“The Italian authorities in the beginning did not request our assistance but they have now done so and on the basis of that we are taking contacts to contribute a satisfactory solution to the case,” the EU spokesperson added.