Trade agreement with the EU one of the easiest: Nath
Zee News | 23 Jan 2007
Trade agreement with the EU one of the easiest: Nath
New Delhi, Jan 23: Sensing little differences in the proposed free trade agreement with the European Union, India today said the negotiations on the pact should begin soon.
"One of the easiest trade agreements would be with the EU and it would open up new opportunities. We need to start negotiations on it as quickly as possible," Nath said at a business meeting with Finland President Tarja Halonen here.
Trade agreements are not in contradiction with WTO and multi-lateral agreements, he said adding that he was hopeful that the current impasse at WTO would be soon broken.
"In another four days time, trade leaders would be meeting and would work to take the process further. India is in touch with the EU and US to ensure that the mandate of the round of talks, which is development, is respected," he added.
Nath said while the completion of the Doha round of negotiations was important, it has to be ensured that the content is in conformity with the objects of the round. He said any agreement on Doha round of negotiations should not perpetuate the structural flaws in international trade.
"WTO negotiations would help countries open markets and they should work to complete the Doha round successfully," Halonen said.
Indian companies have started setting up operations in Finland and this process should gather steam, she said adding that Finland could be a gateway for them between Europe and Asia.
Halonen said Finnish carrier FinnAir would increase the frequency of its flights between Delhi and Helsinki to once a day. It would also start Mumbai-Helsinki flights five times a week from June.
Bureau Report
