Chief negotiators of FTA to meet next month to chart way forward: Tomasz Kozlowski, EU Ambassador to India
, ET Bureau|
Updated: Oct 12, 2017, 11.58 PM IST
India and EU held 14th edition of their Summit on October 6 in Delhi. Contrary to criticism in certain quarters, the Summit agreed to expand geopolitical and economic partnership amid global uncertainty. Speaking to ET , EU Ambassador to India Tomasz Kozlowski said chief negotiators for FTA will meet mid-November to chart next way forward. Indo-EU counter-terror experts would work on an urgent basis to combat terror, he said. Edited excerpts:
What were key outcomes of October 6 EU-India summit?
The summit was very successful. The summit agreed on strengthening both geopolitical relations and economic cooperation and gave a long-term strategic perspective to the EU-India partnership. The leaders decided to step up cooperation on foreign and security issues such as counter terrorism, counter-radicalisation, maritime security, cyber security and on pressing global matters.
India-EU decided to expand economic and business agenda with focus on freer trade. Are you satisfied with the outcome? What is status of FTA?
The summit gave fresh impetus to our trade and investment relations. Both sides are working on re-engaging towards a timely relaunch of the FTA negotiations. Our Trade Commissioner and India's Minister of Commerce &Industry met in Marrakesh earlier this week and the chief negotiators will meet in mid-November to chart a way forward.
How encouraging was the Summit regarding European investments into India and vice-versa?
At present, there are 6,000 EU companies in India, providing directly and indirectly 6.2 million jobs. The EU is by far the largest investor in India with a stock of more than €50 billion in investments. Indian investments in Europe have also reached an impressive level.
What are EU's and EIBs plan to expand support for flagship projects of the Indian government. Which sector holds most promise?
Since it began lending to India, the European Investment Bank's overall commitment to projects in India is close to €3 billion. In 2017 itself, two new loans, including € 800 million for small-scale renewable energy projects in India and €500 million for the Bangalore metro have been agreed with a combined value of €1.4 billion. The EIB has also committed to provide support to the InternationaSolar Alliance globally. A Smart & Sustainable Urbanisation partnership which was agreed at the summit will support Smart Cities and Amrut programmes.
Can you elaborate on the joint statement on counter-terrorism that was agreed at the Summit?
Terrorist attacks on European and Indian citizens, as well as those elsewhere, continue unabated. We agreed to cooperate on tracking and neutralising terrorist financing, sharing information , proscribing known terrorist networks and individuals, countering radicalisation. Following the Summit, agencies and experts from both sides will take these steps forward on urgent basis.
What were key outcomes of October 6 EU-India summit?
The summit was very successful. The summit agreed on strengthening both geopolitical relations and economic cooperation and gave a long-term strategic perspective to the EU-India partnership. The leaders decided to step up cooperation on foreign and security issues such as counter terrorism, counter-radicalisation, maritime security, cyber security and on pressing global matters.
India-EU decided to expand economic and business agenda with focus on freer trade. Are you satisfied with the outcome? What is status of FTA?
The summit gave fresh impetus to our trade and investment relations. Both sides are working on re-engaging towards a timely relaunch of the FTA negotiations. Our Trade Commissioner and India's Minister of Commerce &Industry met in Marrakesh earlier this week and the chief negotiators will meet in mid-November to chart a way forward.
How encouraging was the Summit regarding European investments into India and vice-versa?
At present, there are 6,000 EU companies in India, providing directly and indirectly 6.2 million jobs. The EU is by far the largest investor in India with a stock of more than €50 billion in investments. Indian investments in Europe have also reached an impressive level.
What are EU's and EIBs plan to expand support for flagship projects of the Indian government. Which sector holds most promise?
Since it began lending to India, the European Investment Bank's overall commitment to projects in India is close to €3 billion. In 2017 itself, two new loans, including € 800 million for small-scale renewable energy projects in India and €500 million for the Bangalore metro have been agreed with a combined value of €1.4 billion. The EIB has also committed to provide support to the InternationaSolar Alliance globally. A Smart & Sustainable Urbanisation partnership which was agreed at the summit will support Smart Cities and Amrut programmes.
Can you elaborate on the joint statement on counter-terrorism that was agreed at the Summit?
Terrorist attacks on European and Indian citizens, as well as those elsewhere, continue unabated. We agreed to cooperate on tracking and neutralising terrorist financing, sharing information , proscribing known terrorist networks and individuals, countering radicalisation. Following the Summit, agencies and experts from both sides will take these steps forward on urgent basis.
