Wednesday, September 7 2005 15:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India and the European Union today (Sept 7. 2005) issued a Joint Action Plan covering various areas of cooperation and signed the Framework Agreement on cooperation in Galileo navigation project of Europe.

India also cleared the purchase of 43 Airbus planes for the Indian Airlines at a cost of 2.25 billion US dollars, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told a joint press conference with British Prime Minister and EU President Tony Blair here after the 6th Indo-EU Summit meeting.

Singh said his talks with Blair were "extremely good and productive" and the "most important outcome was the Joint Action Plan (JAP) which provides for framework for fast evolving multi-faceted relations between India and the EU."

He described the JAP as an "ambitious" document, which will help the two sides realise full potential of their multi-faceted relations.

On the Indo-UK bilateral front, the Prime Minister said values made the two countries natural partners. "We share historic, close and most cordial relations with the UK," he said.

Singh asked the EU to review its technology export control regime with regard to India keeping in view New Delhi's impeccable record on non-proliferation Front.

He hoped the EU would respond 'positively' on this. Singh said the deal between Indian Airlines and French company Airbus for purchase of the aircraft would raise the bilateral economic partnership, particularly in Civil Aviation sector, to new heights.

Welcoming the EU's decision to provide 33 million Euros in scholarships to Indian students for higher studies in Europe, the Prime Minister said, "Nothing creates more enduring bonds than education scholarships".

In his address, the British Prime Minister said the JAP puts Indi-EU relations on 'new, higher, intensified plane'.

He said India's decision to purchase aircraft from Airbus was a "welcome sign of developing trade relations".

He said both sides had 'very good, open exchange' on terrorism.

Blair expressed hope that constructive engagement both sides had would bring about 'significant change' and prove to be a 'turning point' in bilateral ties.