Swedish foreign trade minister Johan Forssell has assured that his country would push the EU for Early finalization of the India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) as it is among the priorities of Sweden when it will take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union for a six-month period from January 1, 2023.
The negotiations for India-EU FTA were launched in June 2007 but the process was halted in 2013 after several rounds of talks. Both sides could not agree on various important issues. The differences were in the movement of professionals and tariffs on certain goods. The negotiation resumed in June 2022. Forssell assumed the office of Foreign Trade Minister on October 18, 2022, as a member of the new Swedish government. He was impressed by the Indian economic growth and stated that India’s growth strategy has just started and he wants his country to be a part of this story.
The Scandinavian country will also work on The resumed 18-month India-EU programme jointly drafted by France and the Czech Republic during their tenure as EU presidents. The Swedish government will continue the talks. The Swedish foreign trade minister told the media that Sweden will act as an “honest broker” and will do its best to conclude FTA negotiations. Forssell also discussed the FTA with Indian commerce minister Piyush Goyal.
