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India and Bulgaria Stress Early India-EU FTA Implementation
India and Bulgaria held a meeting to discuss how their countries can work more closely together.
The meeting was led by Sibi George of India and Christo Polendakov of Bulgaria.
They talked about trade, science, technology, space, defence and connections between their people.
Both countries supported putting the India-European Union trade agreement into effect soon.
They said this could make economic ties stronger.
They also discussed international and regional issues.
India and the European Union recently talked about working together more in tourism, hotels and transport.
Sibi George also spoke at the United Nations about protecting coastal areas from rising sea levels.
India and Bulgaria co-chaired Foreign Office Consultations focused on bilateral cooperation.
Sibi George and Christo Polendakov reviewed political, trade, science, technology, AI, space, defence and people-to-people ties.
Both sides called for early implementation of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement.
The countries also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
India and the European Union recently discussed cooperation in tourism, hospitality and transport sectors.
- Who
- India, represented by Secretary (West) Sibi George, and Bulgaria, represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Christo Polendakov.
- What
- The two countries held Foreign Office Consultations and stressed early implementation of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement.
- Where
- The India-Bulgaria consultations were reported by India’s Ministry of External Affairs; the related India-EU meeting took place in New York.
- When
- The consultations were reported on Thursday; a related India-EU meeting took place on September 25 during the 81st United Nations General Assembly session.
- Why
- The countries said early implementation of the trade agreement would further strengthen economic ties and reviewed wider bilateral cooperation.
Key facts
- Main participants
- Sibi George and Christo Polendakov co-chaired the consultations.
- Trade priority
- Both sides emphasised early implementation of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement.
- Cooperation areas
- Political engagement, trade and investment, science and technology, artificial intelligence, space, defence and people-to-people ties.
- Additional India-EU discussions
- Tourism, hospitality and transport cooperation were discussed on September 25.
- UN topic
- India welcomed adoption of the United Nations Declaration on Sea Level Rise.
- India’s priorities
- Coastal resilience, mangrove conservation and disaster-resilient infrastructure were highlighted.
Quotes
Ministry of External Affairs
India's foreign ministry, which reported the consultations and their outcomes
“They reviewed all aspects of bilateral cooperation, including political engagements, trade and investment, science & technology, AI, space, defence and people-to-people ties.”
thehansindia.com
“Both sides emphasised the early implementation of the India-EU FTA, which would contribute to further strengthening of economic ties.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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