Eight envoys including from UK, France present credentials

New Delhi, Sept 26 (UNI) Newly-appointed High Commissioner of Britain and the Ambassadors of France and the European Commission (EC) were among eight envoys who presented their credentials to President Pratibha Patil here today.

Envoys Charles Richard Vernon Stagg (Britain), Mr Jerome Bonnafont (France), Ms Daniele Smadja (EC), Mr Mark Courte (Luxembourg), Ms Ann Ollestad (Norway), Mr Miguel Angel Ramirez Ramos (Cuba), Mr Jean-Marie Deboutte (Belgium) and Mr Hardijs Baumanis (Latvia) presented credentials to the President at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The President, during her interaction with the envoys, stressed the need for the international community to unitedly combat terrorism and expressed India's commitment to promoting peace and prosperity in the world.

She said India sought friendly relations with all countries and would work towards further strengthening relations with them by increassing trade and investment, through enhanced people-to-people contact and student and cultural exchanges.

The ceremony was attended by senior members of the diplomatic missions and senior officials of the External Affairs Ministry and Rashtrapati Bhavan.

UNI