On the sidelines of the 14^th WTO Ministerial Conference held in Yaounde, Cameroon, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal held a bilateral meeting with EU Trade Commissioner, Mr. Maros Sefcovic. Both sides exchanged views on MC-14 agenda, reviewed progress of the work underway on the signing of the recently concluded India-EU FTA as well as explored options for further enhancing bilateral trade & economic cooperation.

On the MC-14 agenda, Shri Goyal and Mr Sefcovic agreed on the necessity of WTO reforms. Shri Goyal emphasised to his EU counterpart that the WTO reforms agenda should remain strictly member-driven. Shri Goyal and Mr Sefcovic also exchanged views on the issue of moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmission as well as incorporation of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement.

Reviewing the progress of the work underway towards signing of the recently concluded India-EU FTA, Shri Goyal appreciated the pragmatic approach taken by both sides which resulted in concluding the India-EU FTA negotiations in a timely and mutually beneficial manner. Both Shri Goyal and Mr Sefcovic agreed that both sides should strive towards completing the necessary processes that can facilitate the signing of the India-EU FTA at the earliest, so that expected benefits from this FTA can be realised by businesses and citizens of India and EU.

Prior to the Ministerial bilateral, Commerce Secretary, Shri Rajesh Agrawal also held a bilateral meeting with his EU counterpart, Ms Sebine Weyand, DG-Trade, on the sidelines of MC-14.

Member-driven WTO reforms discussed as India and the European Union review trade cooperation and advance free trade agreement processes. India and the European Union reviewed trade and economic cooperation on the sidelines of the WTO Ministerial Conference, with discussion on WTO reform, the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, and the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement. The parties agreed that WTO reforms should remain member-driven and considered steps to complete the necessary processes for the early signing of the recently concluded India-EU Free Trade Agreement.