Terror,security high on PMs Brussels agenda

In a pre-departure statement,Singh said Indias partnership with the 27-nation bloc had evolved. Our partnership with the European Union has evolved from economic and development cooperation to a broader strategic engagement, he said.

This will be the first India-EU Summit since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty of the European Union which recast its structures for strengthening the European Unions external relations. India welcomes the enhanced role that the European Union seeks to play in global affairs pursuant to this Treaty, Singh said.

The PM will be in Brussels for the first leg of his two-nation European tour that will also take him to Germany for talks with German leaders,including Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday. He is due to return on Sunday.

The summit jointly hosted by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso will be followed by a bilateral meeting with Singhs Belgian counterpart Yves Leterme in Brussels.

Acknowledging that Belgium had been supportive of India on issues of importance to it,Singh said the summit would explore ways to diversify the bilateral trade basket and promote cooperation in high-technology sectors.

The PM said he was looking forward to reviewing the progress in bilateral cooperation with Germany in areas of high technology,trade and energy. He also said during his talks,the situation in Afghanistan,climate change and role of G-20 in the recovery process will come up for discussions.