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Seconded European Standardization Expert in India

EU-India Relation

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EU-IndiaThe European Union and the Republic of India benefit from a longstanding relationship going back to the early 1960s. The Joint Political Statement of 1993 and the 1994 Co-operation Agreement, which is the current legislative framework for cooperation, opened the door to a broad political dialogue, which evolves through annual Summits, regular ministerial and expert level meetings.

In 2004 India became one of the EU’s “Strategic Partners” (Joint Press Statement ). Since 2005, the Joint Action Plan which was revised in 2008, is helping to realise the full potential of this partnership in key areas of interest for India and the EU. Current efforts are centred on: developing cooperation in the security field (in light of the EU-India Declaration on International Terrorism ); ongoing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement; and implementation of the joint work programme on climate change adopted at the Summit in 2008.

The Country Strategy Paper for India 2007-2013 (€470 million in total – a yearly average of €67 million) concentrates EU funds on health, education and the implementation of the Joint Action Plan, see also its Mid-Term Review. A Memorandum of Understanding on the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2011-2013 was signed between the EU and India in February 2011. A review confirmed the need to further support social sectors like health and education, in particular secondary education and vocational training. For 2011-2013, the EU intends to fund fellowships for Indian students and professors (Erasmus Mundus), as well as projects in the fields of energy, environment and trade related technical assistance. Read More…