February 15, 2007
New Delhi (ANI): The ties between India and Italy received new dimensions with both the countries agreeing to take the bilateral relations to a new strategic position, and to enhance their cooperation in the field of energy security, anti-terrorism, space research, trade and defence.
In a joint statement signed by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and visiting Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, the two countries "affirmed their commitment to work towards the establishment of a strategic partnership based on the close understanding and excellent political dialogue between the two countries, and enhanced cooperation on economy and trade, defence, culture, science and technology, higher education and research, space and the environment".
Three agreements have been signed by the two countries that include setting up a joint working group on combating international terrorism and trans-national crime, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on renewable energy cooperation between the two countries and a bilateral cultural exchange programme.
On the energy security, Italy recognized the rising demand for energy in India and agreed to enhance international civil nuclear cooperation under appropriate international safeguards with "forward looking approaches".
The two leaders also agreed to work together to further strengthening the bilateral relationship, also in the context of the Strategic Partnership between India and the European Union.
Both the counties agreed to further increase cooperation between their respective space research organisation- Agenzia Spatiale Italiana (ASI) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Both welcomed the installation of the Thermo Vacuum Chamber at ISRO Satellite Centre in Bangalore and the forthcoming launch of the Italian "Agile" satellite by Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
India and Italy reiterated their commitment to a rules-based multi-lateral trading system and noted the importance of the Doha Round of negotiations in the WTO meeting. New opportunities for enhancing cooperation in the sectors of agri-business, textiles and clothing, leather, jewellery, woodwork and machine tools, automotive and auto-components, energy, fashion, design, cinema and infrastructure, were observed by the two countries.
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