Dimapur, March 21: A two-member European Commission team is visiting Nagaland to explore the possibility of extending the partnership between the European Union and India to various sectors of the Northeast.
Francois Massoulie, first secretary at the European Commission office in New Delhi, told The Telegraph during his stay here that there was immense scope to broaden the areas of bilateral co-operation. However, he was cautious not to promise anything to the Northeast.
“I am not going to raise the expectations of the people at this point of time. But perhaps we could think about media exchange programmes, trade and greater interaction between the civil societies of the European Union and India’s Northeast. The government of India is encouraging us to explore avenues for partnerships in poverty-alleviation programmes, healthcare and industry in this region,” Massoulie said.
The Frenchman said the first-ever visit by a European Commission team to the Northeast could pave the way for more such trips by senior officials. “This is the first visit by a European Commission team to Nagaland and we hope that there will be more collaboration in the near future,” he added.
After a meeting yesterday with representatives of the Naga Hoho, Massoulie said he and his colleague discussed a “wide range of issues” with the tribal leaders. He said the Naga Hoho delegation, led by its president M. Vero, “enlightened us” about the peace process in Nagaland, especially the tribal organisation’s efforts to unite various Naga groups on the issue of “Naga integration”.
The European Commission officials also called on PCC president and former chief minister S.C. Jamir at his residence here. The duo later discussed the “potential for partnerships in the Northeast” with Nagaland Development Outreach director Pongsing Konyak.
The European Commission team’s Kohima itinerary includes meetings with new chief minister Neiphiu Rio and heads of various government departments.
The team will also discuss socio-economic and other issues with members of the Naga Mothers’ Association, the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights and the Naga Students' Federation.