Finlands Ambassador Anticipates EU-India Trade Agreement by Year-End

New Delhi, October 5 (Daily Kiran) : Finland’s Ambassador to India, Mikko Kivikoski, has expressed strong optimism regarding the much-anticipated free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union. He stated that he expects the agreement to be signed by the end of this year, with implementation likely next year after necessary approvals.

Kivikoski remarked, “Currently, we hope to sign it by the year’s end. After that, both the Indian government and the EU will need to approve the agreement, which may take a few months. Therefore, we anticipate it will come into effect sometime next year.”

On the topic of India’s appeal for a negotiated resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Kivikoski emphasized the importance of dialogue. He stated, “Absolutely, that is the only way we can approach this. Solutions should be sought through discussions. Finland appreciates all the efforts India is currently making.”

When asked about collaboration between India and Finland in sectors such as AI, defense, and education, Kivikoski noted, “I believe the formula is quite simple. While we may be small in size, we are significant in innovation and solutions. India possesses the capacity and talent for large-scale operations. Thus, this is a great match. When we combine our strengths, we can achieve substantial results together.”

Discussing the relationship between India and Finland, Kivikoski described it as very positive, noting that this year has seen record activities. He mentioned visits from both the Finnish Prime Minister and President to India, the India-Nordic Summit in Oslo, and visits by Indian ministers to Finland. Recently, the ‘World Circular Economy Forum’ was held in Gandhinagar, showcasing the joint efforts of both governments.

Additionally, Kivikoski highlighted that during the summit between the EU and India earlier this year, discussions included defense and security partnerships, which are critical for Finland. As a member state of the EU, he affirmed Finland’s commitment to advancing cooperation in these areas.

He cited ongoing collaborations as examples, mentioning two Finnish companies, Nokia and ICEYE, which recently announced a partnership focused on sovereign, dual-use satellite communication systems. These systems are owned and operated by the countries that utilize them.

Kivikoski’s remarks underscore the growing ties between India and Finland, with promising prospects for future collaboration across various sectors.