New Delhi: After roadblocks at the recent WTO (World Trade Organisation) mini-Ministerial at Tokyo, a convergence of views appeared to emerge between India and the EU (European Union) on some contentious issues like TRIPS (Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights) and Public Health and market access in Agriculture.

"We discussed a large number of bilateral and multilateral issues to try to look for areas where we could be convergent, especially in the wake of Cancun WTO Ministerial," Commerce and Industry Minister Arun Jaitly told reporters after a meeting with EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy.

On TRIPS and Public Health, the EU has supported India's viewpoint, official sources said, adding there was commonality of approach on market access in agriculture.

However, differences on Singapore issues -- trade and investment, competition, trade facilitation and transparency in government procurement -- persisted, they said.

A significant outcome of the meeting was an assurance from the EU that it stood by its commitment to phase out quota for textiles by the end of 2004.

"We are fully committed to doing away all quotas for textiles by the end of December 2004," Lamy said.

On phasing out of import restrictions, Lamy said both the sides were working on it and the list of items, which were restricted for imports was shrinking.

The EU had earlier given a list of 100 items to India on which it wanted New Delhi to phase out import restrictions.

India used the opportunity to raise the contentious issue of higher GSP (Generalised System of Preferences) concessions to Pakistan but both Lamy and Jaitely did not elaborate.

"The issue came up for discussion among other issues," Lamy said.

India has expressed concern over EU's zero import duty on garments from Pakistan under the GSP saying it puts Indian exports at a disadvantage.

New Delhi has repeatedly sought similar concession to provide a level playing field.

PTI