EU to support India in civil nuclear energy

New Delhi, Feb 16 (UNI) The European Union today said it will strengthen co-operation with India in the field of civil nuclear energy and announced a commitment of 417 million Euros for rural development, education and health.

The visiting European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner after a meeting this morning with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made it clear that India will have to take a "few steps" like associating with comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty (CTBT) and nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) before the 27-nation body can decide on cooperating with it in civil nuclear energy.

She said the European grouping was ready to discuss these steps with New Delhi as it understands the need for civil nuclear energy because of its fast growing requirements.

''We acknowledge India's energy needs and are committed to support its energy components, of which civil nuclear energy is an important part,'' she told a select group of newspersons here.

However, she said the EU can venture into this only within the non-proliferation regime's framework and few steps are still needed before such a cooperation is made possible.

''We hope India will take these steps towards international non-proliferation mechanism and mainstream, and then swiftly conclude safeguards agreement with the IAEA,'' she said adding that this would be a wish of the hours and India's necessity.

Ms Ferrero-Waldner also announced a commitment of 417 million Euros over the next seven years on education, health and rural development in India out of which 67 million Euros will be spent per year and 60 per cent of the amount will go for rural housing and education.

In trade relations with the WTO, she said both India and the EU have to show interest and the EU is willing to work for the solution adding that the WTO will ofcourse remain as chief in mechanising the work.

During her visit till February 20, the European Commissioner will highlight the EU's policy on energy and climate change and will call for a further intensification of EU-India cooperation in this field.

Key priorities will be development of clean coal technologies, increasing energy efficiency and savings, promoting environment -friendly energy sources as well as assisting India in energy market reforms, she said.

She will also discuss on broad-based trade and investment agreement between the EU and India and press for cooperation in the ongoing negotiations of bilateral agreement on maritime transport and civil aviation.

The EU Commissioner will hold a meeting with the Union Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath on February 19 and visit Rajasthan on February 17-18 and Mumbai on February 20.

(1 Euro = Rs 57.9) UNI