Opening Statement by PM at Joint Press Interaction in Berlin

• Summary of opening statement of the Prime Minister, at the Joint Press Conference with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on December 11, 2010:

• PM said Germany is the economic powerhouse of Europe, and India's largest trading partner in Europe. It is playing a key role in ensuring financial stability and economic recovery in the Eurozone.
• PM said The economic resurgence of Europe is critical for a balanced recovery of the global economy. We have agreed to continue our close consultations within the G-20 framework to work towards such an outcome.
• PM said India will work closely with Germany both bilaterally and within the G-4, to enhance the effectiveness of the Security Council, as well as in support of the expansion of the permanent and non-permanent categories of its membership.
• The world must continue to build upon the progress has been made at the Cancun Conference on Climate Change. India will play its part in arriving at a pragmatic and balanced solution within the framework of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
• On the bilateral side, we deeply value Germany's consistent support, including in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, for the opening of international commerce for India in the field of civil nuclear energy. We have discussed the possibilities of entering into bilateral cooperation in civil nuclear energy.
• German excellence in the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors is well known. We welcome the steady growth of German investments in India. Despite the economic downturn, we are hopeful that the target of achieving bilateral trade of 20 billion Euros by 2012 will be achieved.
• There is vast untapped potential for high technology trade between India and Germany, and I conveyed to Chancellor Merkel that relaxation of German export control laws will open new horizons for such trade. This will be to our mutual benefit.
  

• Vocational training and skill development has emerged as a high priority for our Government. It is critical for the success of our socio-economic development plans. We have chosen Germany as our preferred partner in this field and I am happy to announce that we have agreed to significantly scale up our cooperation in this sector.
• Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Germany. Germany will organize a Year of Germany in India beginning September 2011, and India will organize the Days of India in Germany during 2012-13.
• Relations between our two countries are based on the strong foundations of shared values of freedom, democracy and respect for fundamental rights. Our strategic partnership has evolved tremendously in recent years. I look forward to working with Chancellor Merkel to further strengthen and deepen this partnership.