EU–India, von der Leyen: “With agreement, cooperation instead of fragmentation”

Brussels, Jan. 27 (LaPresse) – “Today, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we concluded negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement between Europe and India. Together, Europe and India are creating the largest trading zones in the world. The Free Trade Agreement between Europe and India is a clear strategic choice. A choice of certainty and predictability in an uncertain world. This Free Trade Agreement will give businesses what they value most: clear rules, stable market access, and long-term confidence to invest. It shows that Europe and India are choosing cooperation over fragmentation and partnership over uncertainty,” stated European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her speech at the EU–India Business Forum. “Our Free Trade Agreement,” von der Leyen emphasized, “marks a new era. It unites two of the largest economies in the world. It is a market of 2 billion people, a quarter of global GDP. It brings lower customs tariffs and export duties and simplified customs procedures. European companies already employ over 3 million people in India. And Indian companies are increasingly investing in Europe. In ten years, goods traded between Europe and India have nearly doubled, reaching 120 billion euros. Now the Agreement will unlock even more potential and combine our strengths to create even higher levels of growth. And this is just the beginning.”