Towards EU-India free trade agreement/ Chancellor Merz meets with counterpart Modi in India
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the European Union and India could sign a free trade agreement within this month, after meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The presidents of the European Commission and the European Council will travel to India at the end of January to sign the agreement if it is finalized by then, Merz said during a visit to the western Indian city of Ahmedabad.
The negotiations were previously expected to be concluded by the end of this year. However, according to German government sources, there are high expectations that an agreement could be signed by the end of January after "very intensive" talks between Merz and Modi.
In particular, Germany wants to work more closely with India on security issues to reduce the latter's dependence on Russia, Merz said.
The countries signed a memorandum of understanding to this end, in addition to agreements on critical minerals, the health sector, and an innovation center for artificial intelligence.
"The MoUs being signed today on all these issues will give new momentum and strength to our cooperation," Modi said at a joint media conference with Merz.
India still works closely with Russia on security policy, and much of its military equipment is manufactured in Russia. It is also one of the largest buyers of Russian gas and oil, along with China.
Germany is pressuring the Indian government to prevent domestic companies from circumventing sanctions on Russia and to reduce energy imports from Russia, demands that India has so far rejected.
Car inspection, rules change - Technical inspection after change of owner. Info from the EU on km and accident history
After each change of ownership of the vehicle, a technical inspection will be carried out. The changes are foreseen in an instruction of the Ministry of......
More complete transparency at the local level: New model programs with a dedicated field for the Municipal Council, also implemented by the Regional Councils
The Office of the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Personal Data Protection has approved two model Transparency programs for public authorities......
Support for the food base of livestock - Minister Salla, in Levan. Field damage assessment begins
Livestock farmers affected by the floods of recent days will be supported by the Ministry of Agriculture for the food base of their livestock, in order to......
About 1 in 4 emigrants complete their higher education abroad/ Only 10% of them decide to return to Albania
The migration experience is playing an increasingly important role in increasing the human capital of Albanians, particularly through education and......
"Within 1 year, the wind farm will enter production" - Rama: Energy, the sector of open international competitions
During the presentation of the Tropoja wind farm, Prime Minister Edi Rama said: "Within 12 months, not counting the period when winter is intense, this......
Tobacco excise duty increases by 250 lek/kg - New calendar applies in 2027, higher prices
Smokers are facing increased pack prices. The increase comes as a result of the tobacco excise tax calendar, which was approved in 2022 and provided for a......
License retest, 13.1% of drivers regain their license - DPSHTRR: Only prepared drivers return to traffic
Regaining a driver's license remains a challenge for many drivers. Official figures show that not everyone is prepared to get back behind the wheel. The......
Tropoja wind farm presented - With an expected capacity of 600 MW, it is being developed by the American company CWP
Prime Minister Edi Rama, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, present the investment in the......
