President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen had special praise for India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal for playing a key role in the just-finalised India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
European Council President Antonio Costa showed his overseas Indian card during the joint press meet here in the national capital on Tuesday and underlined how the conclusion of negotiations holds a special meaning for him.
Sefcovic described the prospective pact as the "mother of all deals," noting that negotiators are "checking their final numbers" as the European bloc pushes to reduce India's steep import duties that can reach up to 150 % in some sectors.
"India is privileged to host European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during our Republic Day celebrations. Their presence underscores the growing strength of the India-European Union partnership and our commitment to shared values,"
Maros Sefcovic, the European Union Trade Commissioner, said in an interview to Euro News that India and EU are very close towards having a signature as the finalise the much anticipated free trade agreement.
EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, as well as Inter-Institutional Relations and Transparency, Maros Sefcovic met Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Sunday after arriving in India.
He expressed gratitude following the meeting and spoke with certainty about
Discussions centred on the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with both sides underlining the importance of protecting the interests of farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), while enabling Indian industries to integrate more deeply into global supply chains.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and European Union Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maros Sefcovic reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based trading system and a modern economic partnership during high-level talks in Brussels.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday met a delegation led by the European Union's Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maros Sefcovic, and the two leaders discussed cooperation on trade and investment.