Pune: European Union's (EU) ambassador to India Tomasz Kozlowski said in Pune on Friday that the EU wants India to play a more proactive role in the international arena considering that both EU and India share a wide range of common interests and objectives.
The EU-India relations, long restricted to trade investments and development cooperation issues, are now more focussed on a long-term strategic perspective in two directions viz. foreign and security policy and economic sectoral trade investments including information and communication technology (ICT), climate change and nuclear policy, among others, Kozlowski told reporters during an interactive session on his maiden visit to Pune.
The envoy will address an international conclave organised by Symbiosis Society on Saturday. In an hour-long interaction, Kozlowski touched upon issues ranging from India's growing importance as a key EU partner post-Brexit; the continuing economic integration of the EU member states; the EU's greater engagement with India in areas such as climate change, clean energy, `Make In India' initiative, funding of development projects, cooperation in anti-terrorism initiatives, among others.
Kozlowski said, "The last EU-India summit, held on October 6 in Delhi, injected a new dimension to the EU-India relations with a long term strategic perspective on foreign and security policy and economic sectoral trade. We decided to pay much more attention to each other now as we found that EU and India are very predictable and stable partners who believe in rules-based international order and are looking for their own place in the international arena. We identify convergence of many interests starting from climate change to implementation of the Iran oil pipeline, nuclear deal, keeping West Asia stable and ensuring a multilateral international order."
He said, "The EU has concerns about the foreign policies of certain countries in Asia whose intentions are not clear. Terrorism, cyber crime and international trade system are areas of common interest and both, EU and India, are natural partners in this context. We have a common responsibility in preserving international peace and order and now, we need to put in place instruments to implement our common objectives. Both, EU and India, are firm believers in principles of democracy, human rights and market economy."
Kozlowski said, "India has embarked on a new economic growth and the reforms initiated by the Narendra Modi government are impressive as it reflects in India's jump by 35 places up the ladder of World Bank's ease of doing business rankings."
On Brexit, Kozlowski said fears of the EU collapsing are unfounded as the member states are firmly on the path of economic integration with new leadership in some European countries bringing in more positivity. We are certainly not happy with Brexit but, we respect the mandate by people of the UK. Brexit will not impact the EU but, the immediate issues will be the UK's financial obligation after Brexit; the future of the EU citizens living in the UK and the UK citizens living in the EU and finally, how the UK sees its border with republic of Ireland, he said.
The EU-India relations, long restricted to trade investments and development cooperation issues, are now more focussed on a long-term strategic perspective in two directions viz. foreign and security policy and economic sectoral trade investments including information and communication technology (ICT), climate change and nuclear policy, among others, Kozlowski told reporters during an interactive session on his maiden visit to Pune.
The envoy will address an international conclave organised by Symbiosis Society on Saturday. In an hour-long interaction, Kozlowski touched upon issues ranging from India's growing importance as a key EU partner post-Brexit; the continuing economic integration of the EU member states; the EU's greater engagement with India in areas such as climate change, clean energy, `Make In India' initiative, funding of development projects, cooperation in anti-terrorism initiatives, among others.
Kozlowski said, "The last EU-India summit, held on October 6 in Delhi, injected a new dimension to the EU-India relations with a long term strategic perspective on foreign and security policy and economic sectoral trade. We decided to pay much more attention to each other now as we found that EU and India are very predictable and stable partners who believe in rules-based international order and are looking for their own place in the international arena. We identify convergence of many interests starting from climate change to implementation of the Iran oil pipeline, nuclear deal, keeping West Asia stable and ensuring a multilateral international order."
He said, "The EU has concerns about the foreign policies of certain countries in Asia whose intentions are not clear. Terrorism, cyber crime and international trade system are areas of common interest and both, EU and India, are natural partners in this context. We have a common responsibility in preserving international peace and order and now, we need to put in place instruments to implement our common objectives. Both, EU and India, are firm believers in principles of democracy, human rights and market economy."
Kozlowski said, "India has embarked on a new economic growth and the reforms initiated by the Narendra Modi government are impressive as it reflects in India's jump by 35 places up the ladder of World Bank's ease of doing business rankings."
On Brexit, Kozlowski said fears of the EU collapsing are unfounded as the member states are firmly on the path of economic integration with new leadership in some European countries bringing in more positivity. We are certainly not happy with Brexit but, we respect the mandate by people of the UK. Brexit will not impact the EU but, the immediate issues will be the UK's financial obligation after Brexit; the future of the EU citizens living in the UK and the UK citizens living in the EU and finally, how the UK sees its border with republic of Ireland, he said.
Get latest news & live updates on the go on your pc with News App. Download The Times of India news app for your device.
