New Delhi: Welcoming the Indo-Pak talks in Islamabad, European Commissioner for External Relation Christopher Patten today (Feb 16, 2004) said the international community should be "patient" and not expect any results immediately.

"The entire international community welcomes the courage and commitment shown by leaders of the two countries which led to the peace talks. The outside world should be patient and supportive," he told reporters in New Delhi after meetings with External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha and Finance Minister Jaswant Singh.

"Though the process has started, the issues are complicated and we must not expect solutions soon," Patten said.

To questions on India and the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), he said whether any country signed the NPT or not, "all of us understand the importance of (nuclear-capable) nations behaving responsibly in relation to export controls."

"We also agree on dangers faced by the world from nuclear weapons falling into the hands of terrorists and some States in danger of becoming terrorist havens," Patten said.

On the recent confessions by Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, he said the matter would be discussed when he visits Islamabad in the next few days.

"The allegations have to be thoroughly investigated. Those responsible have to be brought to book," Patten said, adding the issue did not figure in his meetings with Indian leaders.

Patten said India and the European Union (EU) have expressed their intention to sign a strategic document in the next few months to further strengthen strategic relationship.

"We have discussed the issue and the strategic document may be signed as early as in May or June."

On the threat of nuclear weapons falling into the hands of terrorist outfits, Patten said, "Terrorist organisations like the al-Qaeda are so dangerous that everybody has a nightmare of these people laying their hands on nuclear weapons."

The EU Commissioner said it was imperative that an effective regime for controlling the spread of weapons of mass destruction was evolved soon and the EU would be discussing it shortly.

Regarding EU's cooperation with India, he said a customs agreement was likely to be ratified in the next few months and the two sides would be opening talks on maritime agreement. There was also "good progress" on an agreement on science and technology.

In a bid to attract Indian brains to Europe for higher studies and research, Patten said the EU was planning to launch a 33 million Euro programme in 2005-06 to encourage Indian students to do their post-graduation or doctorates in European universities.

"We are also planning twining between Indian and European universities," he said.

Regarding India's proposed participation in EU's Galileo project, Patten said it related to global positioning system (GPS) and satellite navigation.

Asked as to what would be India's share in the Galileo project, he said it was entirely up to India to decide in what way it would like to cooperate in the project.