EU-SUMMIT 2 LAST

Ahead of the Summit, India Commerce Minister Anand
Sharma met EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton here and
said the two sides are looking at doubling the trade to USD
200 billion in the next four years.
On the negotiations for a free trade pact, which have
been dragging for two years, Sharma made it clear that the
agreement would be delayed because of persisting differences.
EU is trying to link the pact to "extraneous issues"
like child labour and environment which India is resisting.
"The Summit will underline the joint commitment to
achieve progress in the negotiations on a bilateral Trade and
Investment Agreement (free trade pact)," the European
Commission said.
The Summit is expected to give a political push to the
negotiations on the free trade agreement.
The two sides would also be discussing collaborative
ways to tackle the global financial crisis as well as reform
of multilateral financial institutions.
Climate change would also be high on the agenda in view
of the upcoming Copenhagen Summit.
The EU has been saying that it is ready to help
developing countries, including India, if they "deliver" on
climate change.
India has been showing its willingness to do its bit to
fight climate change but is refusing to accept any binding
commitments on cutting greenhouse gas emissions. PTI