The Hindu : Controversy over EU position `regrettable'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 03, 2002

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Controversy over EU position `regrettable'

By Alok Mukherjee

NEW DELHI MAY 2. After a series of terse statements, India today took up directly with the European Union (EU) the recent controversy regarding the EU's position on the recent Gujarat incidents.

According to the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, the two sides agreed that the recent controversy caused by media reports on the EU's position on Gujarat was "regrettable'' and it was decided to put the issue behind. The occasion to sort out the controversy came during the meeting here of senior officials of the EU and India as part of the bi-annual meetings between the two sides which have been formalised after the India-EU summit in Lisbon in June 2000.

"The EU recognised that their concerns regarding violence, loss of life and property and the requirement for urgent humanitarian relief had already been addressed vigorously and effectively in the Indian media, public opinion and civil society and by the Indian Government and Parliament, '' the spokesperson said.

Asked about the nature of the discussions and the concerns raised by the EU officials, she said "the issue was discussed in an open and candid manner.''

About a possible demarche being handed over by the EU, the spokesperson reiterated that she had reported exactly what had happened at the meeting.

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