EU backs India's peace moves

The fourth European Union-India Summit this weekend will call for resolution of the Indo-Pak stand-off in Kashmir through bilateral talks.

Collective efforts to tackle the menace of terrorism, strengthening and reforming United Nations, restarting of WTO negotiations after the Cancun collapse are some of the other issues that would dominate the summit, beginning November 29.

"We welcome the peace initiative of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The European Union will emphasise the need for resolution of Kashmir issue peacefully through bilateral dialogue at the summit as the issue had international ramifications," Italian Ambassador Benedetto Amari told reporters in New Delhi.

Three agreements, including one on a 300 million euro commitment by New Delhi for its participation in EU's Galileo civilian satellite project, would be signed during the summit.

A customs cooperation agreement will be signed in which India and European Union will commit to further deepening  cooperation between their customs administration facilitating trade between the two. A maritime agreement to help reduce shipping time and costs and enhance efficiency is also on the anvil.

While the Indian delegation will be led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who is currently the European Council president, will lead EU at the summit.