EU tries to pin down CII

 The EU claimed that the joint statement was proof that Indian industry was in favour of launching negotiations for a multilateral framework on investment.

 Soon after the EU released the joint statement, the CII, in a press release, denied having agreed to the launch of negotiations on the subject.

 The industry chamber, whose representatives are part of the official Indian delegation for the ministerial, said CII had only referred to the Doha ministerial declaration issued on November 2001.

 The release added that CII had ensured that the German chamber, Federation of German Industries (BDI), accepted the point of view of Indian industry.

 The industry body said in that particular joint statement concerns had been expressed about the possible fallout of an agreement on an issue about which there was little or no understanding.