Press release

AFR EU-India Summit in Copenhagen on 10 October 2002 and official Indian visit to Denmark

08.10.02

On 10 October, the third Summit between the EU and India will be held in Copenhagen. Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has invited Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vaypayee to discuss the development in India and the EU, current foreign policy issues as well as economic relations.

On the evening of 10 October – after the EU-India Summit – an official Indian visit to Denmark will commence with Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen hosting a dinner at Christiansborg. The visit continues the following day when Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will have talks with the Speaker of the Folketing (Danish Parliament) and political talks with the Danish Prime Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office. The visit will finish with a luncheon hosted by Her Majesty the Queen at Amalienborg.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen states:

“Relations between the EU and India are developing. The Summit will provide an opportunity to strengthen the co-operation between the EU and India. We wish to develop both the political dialogue and economic co-operation with India.

I expect we shall discuss the situation in Southern Asia, including the relationship between India and Pakistan as well as the situation in Kashmir. It is of the utmost importance that tensions in the area should be relieved. India and Pakistan ought to establish a dialogue on security matters. This applies also to the situation in Kashmir.

In the area of trade, India holds a vast potential, which we must develop to our mutual advantage. Therefore, we shall discuss a number of specific co-operation agreements. They include, among other things, an initiative to promote trade and investment, a co-operation agreement on science and technology, an agreement on customs co-operation and an agreement on maritime transport.

On 9 October, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Commission President Romano Prodi and I myself will attend the Third EU-India Business Summit where we shall discuss ways in which to strengthen mutual trade.

I look forward to hosting Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s official visit to Denmark after the Summit. It is his first visit to this country. We shall discuss bilateral relations and ways in which we may enhance our co-operation”.

A joint statement will be issued after the EU-India Summit

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In connection with the EU-India Summit, a joint press conference will be held on Thursday 10 October at 12:15 PM at Eigtveds Pakhus, reception room III.

There will be a family photo at 11:00 AM at Eigtveds Pakhus, reception room III.

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In connection with the bilateral meeting, a joint press conference will be held on Friday 11 October at 12:00 noon at the Prime Minister’s Office, Spejlsalen (the Hall of Mirrors).

Furthermore, there will be photo opportunities in connection with - the start of the bilateral meeting on 11 October at 11:00 AM at the Prime Minister’s Office, Egetræssalen (the Oak Room), - the start of the official dinner on 10 October at approximately 8:00 PM.

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Accreditation is required for the EU-India Summit as well as for the bilateral meeting; please see eu2002.dk/medieservice (accreditation provides access to the entire programme).

Contact information Head of Section Jesper Fersløv Andersen, phone: +45 33922235/40803688 Head of Section Michael Christian Helbo, phone: +45 33922222/40803685