Davos, Jan 22 (PTI) Days before the signing of a free trade agreement between India and the European Union, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday said "the era of great powers" presents an opportunity for countries favouring regulations to join forces against protectionism and isolationism.

In a special address at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting here, the chancellor said he wants high growth in Europe and will do everything possible to achieve that.

"In a few days, the President of the European Commission will travel to India to establish the principles of a free trade agreement between the subcontinent and the European Union," he said.

"I was in India a week ago, and I have no doubt whatsoever that the era of great powers presents an opportunity for all of us and for all countries that favour regulations above arbitrary rule and see benefit in free trade than in protectionism and isolationism." The chancellor said the EU is joining forces with new partners in this direction.

He also referred to the efforts to finalise trade agreements with Mexico and Indonesia.

On Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said here that the European Union is on the cusp of signing a historic trade agreement with India, which is being called 'the mother of all deals,' and it will create a market for 2 billion people or about one-fourth of the global GDP.

She said the deal would crucially provide a first-mover advantage for Europe with one of the world's fastest-growing and most dynamic continents.

"Europe wants to do business with the growth centres of today and the economic powerhouses of this century." President of the European Council Antonio Costa and von der Leyen will be in India from January 25 to 27 to grace the Republic Day celebrations as chief guests and hold summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The two sides are set to announce the conclusion of negotiations on the much-awaited free trade agreement at the India-EU summit on January 27.

The European Union is India's biggest trade partner, with bilateral trade in goods recording USD 135 billion in the financial year 2023-24. The free trade agreement is expected to significantly enhance trade ties.

The proposed agreement is expected to bring a qualitative change in deepening the overall bilateral ties in a range of sectors at a time the world is witnessing trade disruptions in view of US President Donald Trump's tariff policy. PTI BJ BAL BAL

India-EU free trade agreement nearing conclusion to deepen market access and regulatory cooperation between partners. Negotiations toward a comprehensive free trade agreement between India and the European Union are reaching conclusion, with EU leaders scheduled to visit India to announce the deal. The proposed agreement is presented as a regulatory and market-access framework intended to deepen bilateral economic relations, create a large integrated market, and deliver a first-mover advantage for the EU with one of the world's fastest-growing regions.