Kalam's visit great success; Greek PM to visit India

Athens, Apr 26 (UNI) India and Greece today came out with a categorical condemnation of terrorism, and agreed to increase their trade to one billion Euros by 2010 and further strengthen their cooperation in the field of science and technology.

Briefing mediapersons about President Kalam's discussion with Greek leaders here, Secretary (West) Nalin Suri said the three-day visit that started yesterday was a great success and ''a perfect meeting of minds''.

He also said Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlishas agreed to visit India later this year.

India's relations with Greece have always been warm and Greece had supported India on a variety of issues like its claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, Mr Suri said.

Today's discussions with the Greek President, Greek Prime Minister and other members of the Government focused on bilateral trade and regional situation besides other issues, he said.

While Greek leaders briefed India about their relations with Turkey, Dr Kalam told Greek leaders about the initiatives India had taken to improve its relations with its neighbours, Mr Suri informed.

Replying to a question he said despite its opposition to nuclear proliferation, Greece appreciated India's position on the issue very well and was appreciative of its commitment to make only peaceful use of nuclear energy.

India and Greece both have the same focus on education and health and also on the need of equitable distribution of the fruits of economic growth, he pointed out.

He said there were many areas like tourism, shipping and food processing in which the two countries could do trade.

Mr Suri said Greec was very important for India as it was a gateway to central European countries with many of whom India had good trade relations.

Replying to another question, he categorically said India was opposed to illegal migration and would do all to curb it.

The question related to the Greek President's remarks earlier in the day describing human trafficking as a disgrace and offering India help to fight the evil, Mr Suri said India had a very large number of illegal migrants-about 15 millions---so it cannot support the practice anywhere else.

One of the agreement signed with Greece today is related to 'Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments, he said.

The agreement aims at intensifying investment flows to the mutual benefit of both the countries and create favourable condition for investment by investors of each other's country, he added.

Mr Suri said the other issues discussed between the two sides were related to the development of scientific and technological cooperation envisaging exchange of researchers and scientists, and undertaking joint research projects.

For implementing the agreement, a joint committee of the two countries would be constituted, he added.

UNI