The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh arrived in New Delhi a shortwhile ago after a two nation tour of Belgium and Germany. In Germany, Dr. Singh held a summit meeting in Berlin with Chancellor Angela Merkel where major regional and global issues including the situation in Afghanistan, climate change, the state of global economy and the role of G20 in the recovery process came up for discussion. Later , addressing a joint press conference German Chancellor Angela Merkel made it clear to Pakistan that terrorism is not a means to solve political problems and this is not acceptable. She said, India is suffering the consequences of terrorist attacks and Germany will do whatever it can to ensure that these terrible attacks are not repeated. Dr.Manmohan Singh welcomed the steady growth of German investment in India and hoped that despite the economic downturn, bilateral trade will touch the target of 20 billion Euros by 2012. The Prime Minister conveyed to Chancellor Merkel that relaxation of German Export Control Laws will expand trade for mutual benefit. Dr. Manmohan Singh appreciated Germany’s consistent support for opening of international commerce for India in the field of civil nuclear energy. On the question of barriers for transfer of high technology, Ms. Merkel said the trade agreement which is being negotiated on a fast track will take care of the problems. The two sides agreed to continue close consultations within the G-20 framework in this regard. Dr.Singh announced that Germany will be the preferred partner in the field of vocational training and skill development and cooperation in this regard will be scaled up. The two sides also discussed the possibilities of bilateral cooperation in civil nuclear energy. On discussions on climate change, Ms. Merkel appreciated India’s Environment Minister’s role at the Cancun negotiations. Dr. Manmohan Singh said, India will play its part for arriving at a pragmatic and balanced solution within the UN Framework. Both the sides decided to work closely for the reforms of the UN Security Council. India and Germany will be non-permanent members of the Council in 2011 and 12. The Prime Minister promised India’s support to the efforts being made by Germany to ensure financial stability and economic recovery in Eurozone. Germany will organise a year of Germany in India beginning in September next year. This was announced by Dr. Manmohan Singh in Berlin. He disclosed that India will organize Days of India in Germany during 2012-13. The 60th year of establishing diplomatic relations with Germany will be celebrated next year and Dr Singh extended an invitation to Chancellor Merkel to visit India next year which she accepted.