New Delhi: India today (Feb 16, 2004) voiced "optimism" over the outcome of the three-day official level talks with Pakistan and ruled out any mediation by the European Union (EU) or any third party in "bilateral" issues between the two countries.

"I am quite optimistic over the outcome of this round of talks (from today in Islamabad). These are preliminary round of discussions on issues relating to the agenda, the level of talks and the time-frame in which the talks will be held," External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha told reporters after the India-EU Troika Ministerial meeting in New Delhi.

Observing that New Delhi was "grateful" to the EU for the offer to play a role in resolving Indo-Pak issues, he said it has been made clear that "As far as the role of EU or any third party is concerned, these are best resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan."