India-EU TTC Ministerial Meeting: Goyal Meets Dombrovskis, Discusses WTO, FTA Issues

Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday met the executive vice-president of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis and discussed issues related to World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the free trade agreement (FTA).

Amid the first ministerial meeting of the India-European Union Trade and Technology Council (TTC), both leaders recalled the long-standing partnership between the two sides and underlined the need to work together to deepen the association given their commitment to democracy and rule-based international systems. 

They emphasised the need for expediting the ongoing FTA negotiations by finding convergence on all issues after due consideration of mutual sensitivities including market access for balanced and meaningful outcomes that would support the economies and employment on both sides.

As per a statement by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, both sides also affirmed their commitment to work together on common priorities for WTO-related issues. 

"Both sides recognised the need for consensus-based solutions including a permanent Solution on Public Stock Holding that would support the livelihoods and food security for millions in India as well as in large parts of the developing world," it added.

They expressed hope that their joint efforts would enable finding meaningful solutions in the upcoming WTO ministerial conference.