30/09/1999 (Agence Europe)

The European Commissioner charged with external affairs, Chris Patten, has held a meeting with India's Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh, during which the two parties exchanged views on economic and trade cooperation between the EU and India. They agreed to step up their relations and continue consultations in the framework of the new WTO negotiations. The next ministerial meeting will be held on 3 December 1999 in Helsinki. EUROPE would recall that the EU's political dialogue with India is founded on the declaration adopted in December 1993 providing for a "Troika-type" ministerial meeting every year, followed by a high-level meeting, the latest having taken place in May 1999.

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