New Delhi
German Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to finalize the free trade agreement (ALE) between India and the European Union as soon as possible.
During a meeting at the level of the delegation with the Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar, Wadephul said that Germany fully supported the agreement and will use its influence with the European Commission to move it forward.
“Germany fully supports this agreement, negotiated as soon as possible,” said Wadephul. “We are a free trade nation … The EU works (the agreement with) India is the most important for us. I really hope that we can succeed.” He added that Germany will use all of its arguments with the Commission to advance the ALE and improve relations between their country and the EU and India.
“You can be assured that we will use all the arguments we have with the Commission to highlight this and reach a level between our countries and between the EU and India on this subject,” he added.
On Tuesday, Wadephul spent a day in Bangalore, where he was impressed by the number of students who learn German. “For me, it was really interesting to spend a whole day in Bangalore to see what we really do together, economically and culturally,” he said. “It was really amazing for me to see how many students learn German, and it shows us that the potential is really high for our countries.”
Earlier in the day, Wadephul arrived in New Delhi following his commitments to Bengaluru as part of his official two -day visit to the country.
The German Minister of Foreign Affairs met with the Minister of the Union of Trade and Industry Piyush Goyal, which the German ambassador to India, Phillip Ackermann, described as a productive discussion on the strengthening of commercial, investment and innovation ties.
“The German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Johann Wadephul, meeting the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal. Productive discussions on the strengthening of commercial, investment and innovation ties,” said Ackermann in an article on X.
Earlier, Piyush Goyal said that negotiations for the free trade agreement (ALE) between India and the European Union are at an advanced stage, as both parties make significant progress.
Explaining journalists from the national capital, Goyal said: “We have reached a very advanced step in our ALE with the European Union. And we make very active and significant progress.”
Learn more:: Hafizur Rahman sold his land, cultures to empower women
Ale negotiations between the two parties should conclude in 2025. India last month said that the two parties were engaged in a prospective and substantial dialogue to meet the commercial challenges and reaffirm their shared resolution to conclude the Indian-European (ALE) free trade agreement at the end of 2025.
About The Author
