India & EU inks two agreement

India and European Union today signed two agreements in the field of Research and Innovation Cooperation and Statistical Cooperation.  The agreements were signed following one on one talks between the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the visiting European Council President Mr. Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Mr. Jose Manuel Varroso in New Delhi.  Talking to newspersons following the signing of agreement, Dr. Singh called the agreements of forward looking document to integrate economy.  Dr. Singh exuded confidence that the long pending broad based bilateral trade and investment agreements will be arrived at soon. He said that there are certain issues which can be resolved at the earliest.  The Prime Minister said that the bilateral trade has gone up to $170 billion in 2011 and it will be enhanced further.  In reply to a question on Iran the Prime Minister said that six million Indians live in Gulf and their safety and security is a great concern to India. He expressed hope that there will be a peaceful resolution of this conflict.  The President of European Council said that negotiations on free trade agreement are on and issues will be sorted out soon.