New Delhi: Seeking to take forward their strategic partnership, India and the European Union today pledged to speed up talks on ambitious market-opening trade pact and enhance cooperation in other fields, including climate change.

After Summit talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Portuguese counterpart Jose Socrates, who is the current EU President, the two sides signed two agreements -- pact for upgradation of Science and Technology cooperation and an MoU for developmental cooperation. "Prosperity of India and the EU are closely linked," Singh told a joint press conference with Socrates after the talks that covered the entire gamut of bilateral relations besides regional and multilateral issues.

The talks covered developments in Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. On the international front, the two sides discussed the pressing challenges of climate change and global terrorism. Turning to the proposed Trade and Investment Agreement, Singh said the two sides reviewed progress of negotiations on it and expressed hope that it will be in place before the next year's Summit.

Socrates said the Agreement was an "ambitious" one, which will throw open new opportunities for the Indian and European economies. Socrates and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said negotiations on the trade and investment agreement remained "centrepiece of the Summit". The two sides reiterated their commitment to promote international peace and security.

Source : PTI