New Delhi, June 16 (UNI) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will embark on a four-nation official visit
to Italy, France, Luxembourg and Brussels from Sunday, June 17.
During her stay in Brussels, taking India's soft power global, the Minister will lead the International Yoga Day
celebrations at the European Parliament on June 21 and also interact with the Indian community, MEA statement said here.
"The visit to the four European nations will provide an opportunity to hold in-depth discussions with the political leadership on a wide range of global, regional and bilateral issues and advance our growing strategic engagement with the European Union," the statement said.
It may be mentioned here that on June 21 President will be participating in this year's International Day of Yoga
along with the President of Suriname Desi Bouterse in Paramaribo.
The External Affairs Minister's visit to Italy on Sunday and Monday will be the first major political exchange between India and Italy after the swearing in of Giuseppe Conte as Italy’s new Prime Minister on June 1.
During her stay in Rome, Ms Swaraj will call on Prime Minister Conte and also meet the Foreign Minister
Enzo Moavero Milanesi and review the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Ms Swaraj will arrive France on Monday and this will be the first major visit from India to France since
the visit of the French President Macron to India in March 2018, an MEA statement said here on Saturday,
During her visit to Paris, External Affairs Minister will meet Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe & Foreign Affairs and also review the bilateral relations.
India and France are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership. While in Paris, Ms
Swaraj will be the Chief Guest at the naming ceremony of the Indian Culture Centre and also interact with
the Indian community.
Ms Swaraj will be visiting Luxembourg from June 19. "This will be the first ever visit to Luxembourg by an External Affairs Minister from India," the statement said.
The year 2018 also marks the 70th year of establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries.
During her visit, Ms Swaraj will be calling on the Grand Duke of Luxembourg His Royal Highness Henri Albert Gabriel Félix Marie Guillaume and Xavier Bettel, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg.
Ms Swaraj will also have meetings with Mr. Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Mr. Pierre Gramegna, the Minister of Finance.
In Luxembourg, the Minister will also interact with the Indian community.
The Minister will be visiting Belgium between June 20 and 23. In Brussels, External Affairs Minister will be meeting the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium Didier Reynders.
"Brussels being the headquarters of the European Union, External Affairs Minister will be calling on the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani.
According to the statement, Ms Swaraj will also be meeting with her counterpart Ms. Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and also review the entire gamut of India-EU relations.
In Brussels, she will deliver a keynote speech at the high-level event ‘Climate, Peace and Security: Time for Action’, the statement added.
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