Brussels, 12/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - In Brussels last week (7-8 April), European and Indian negotiators got down to discussion of the sensitive issues preventing the conclusion of the negotiations on a bilateral EU-India free trade agreement which were opened in spring 2007. Whether or not an agreement is signed before summer, as the European Commission wants, will depend on the outcome of this round of talks and the next in New Delhi in May, and possibly even a ministerial meeting at the end of May or start of June.
“We are currently in a crucial phase in the negotiations tackling the outstanding issues. Both sides are fully committed to finding solutions to the remaining issues before the summer. In order to close the final elements of the deal, further work is required in areas such as tariffs, services, and procurement. But the contours of the deal are clearly emerging so we hope to be able to close the remaining gaps which are outstanding”, said John Clancy, spokesman for Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, on Tuesday.
After a slow start, negotiations on the free trade agreement picked up speed in the autumn of last year, with both sides even agreeing to conclude talks by the spring. However, the automotive sector, wines and spirits, pharmaceuticals, intellectual property and public procurement “remain the thorny issues to be settled”, acknowledged De Gucht, speaking to the European Parliament on Tuesday. (E.H./transl.rt)