The Hindu Business Line : EU official upbeat on India's co-operation in nuke energy

THE European Union (EU) and India may look forward towards positive developments in the area of civilian nuclear energy and it would be the member countries of the EU that would decide their individual stand on the issue. This was stated here on Friday by the Deputy Director General (External Relations) of EU, Mr Harve Jouan Jean.

"It seems the position is evolving positively but it is for the individual member countries of the EU to decide on the issue," Mr Jean said, while interacting at the Forum of Financial Writers. "India is behaving in a positive manner helping us to prevent nuclear proliferation," he said.

Mr Jean said there were no major trade issues between India and the EU. He also said, "we are happy that India is expanding trade with its South Asian partners. We want to see India grow as also its international commerce."

On the issue of the Indo-US co-operation in nuclear area and the issue of International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in which India is to participate, Mr Jean said, ``The US has opened the doors for further co-operation in the field of nuclear energy and ITER has nothing to do with Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty."

On India's participation in the Galileo project, Mr Jean clarified that it was entirely a civilian affair. "We are not short of funds. We do not want India's participation for money. But how much will be its seed capital I do not know," he said.

Mr Jean said India stands to greatly benefit by participating in the Galileo project. ``Such co-operation can help to reinforce industrial know how and to minimise the technological and political risks."

The Galileo programme, a joint European Commission and European Space Agency Initiative, represents the first global satellite positioning and navigation system designed specially for civilian use worldwide. Based on a constellation of 30 satellites orbiting at an altitude of 24,000 km, Galileo will feature full interoperability with the American GSP and Russian Glonass system.

Mr Jean also said that India's growth performance was impressive, its market large and its demographic profile will propel development, and added that it was a better trading partner than China.

"With China, our trade is heavily weighed in their favour. With India our trade is balanced," he said.

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