Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner proposes €470 million package for India

During her visit to India, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero Waldner, announced that the European Commission is proposing substantial financial assistance to India over the next seven years. An amount of €470 million should be available 2007-2013 to support the implementation of the Joint Action Plan, notably economic co-operation and sectoral dialogues, as well as help India achieve its Millennium Development Goals in the Health and Education sectors. This represents a substantial increase compared to funding provided in the past.

Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said in Delhi: "India is forging ahead. The EU wants to play its part in the emergence of India as a more prosperous nation, playing its role on the international stage on the key issues of our day. We are designing our package to match India's own priorities - economic reforms and progress in health and education – to cement still further the partnership that we are building together."

The new Country Strategy Paper for India 2007-2013 (€470 million in total – a yearly average of €67 million) proposes to focus EU co-operation on the following priorities:

    * Mobilise EU funds to support the implementation of the Joint Action Plan, notably economic cooperation and sectoral dialogues – on issues ranging from tackling energy co-operation climate change and other environmental concerns to promoting dialogue on employment and social affairs - in order to help India address the most recent challenges of its economic reform process
    * Support India in achieving its Millennium Development Goals in the Health and Education sectors, as for example promotion of public administration reforms, decentralisation and community empowerment, deepening school enrolment, enhanced quality education and training of teachers.