The Hague: The European Union today (Nov 8, 2004) expressed interest in India's unmanned lunar exploration mission Chandrayaan-I and said it would "encourage" cooperation between European Space Agency (ESA) and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation).

The EU and Indian leaders, who met in The Hague for their 5th Summit, noted in a joint press statement that the two sides "have very mature space programmes and a long history of working together through their respective space agencies in the exploration and use of outer space".

The leaders of the two sides, led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President of European Council and Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, extended their support to cooperation between ESA and ISRO.

They noted that considering India's well proven capabilities in space, satellite and navigation related activities, cooperation agreement on Galileo satellite navigation project will "provide an important positive impulse for Indian and European industrial co-operation in many hi-tech areas".

"We express our willingness to continue our discussions with a view to conclude the agreement in near future," the statement said.

Noting the successful conclusion of Customs cooperation agreement, the Summit also acknowledged the progress in negotiations on Maritime Agreement.

The two partners agreed to intensify cooperation and take action to facilitate and expand bilateral trade and investment flows, given the importance of realising the potential of growing Indian and EU markets.

"We commit to pursue issues key to increasing market access and creating an enabling economic environment," it said.