New Delhi, July 2: Kevin Kelly, the Irish Ambassador to India, stated on Wednesday that enhancing the strategic partnership between the European Union (EU) and India will be one of his top priorities during Ireland’s presidency of the EU Council.
As of Wednesday, Ireland has taken over the presidency of the EU Council and will lead discussions among the 27 member states for the next six months until December 31. This role includes presiding over council meetings, advancing EU laws and policies, and striving for consensus on crucial issues affecting over 450 million European citizens.
In an interview, Ambassador Kelly emphasized that during its presidency, Ireland will support the council’s efforts to advance the EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The focus will also be on strengthening relations with India in key areas such as trade, technology, research, connectivity, maritime security, robust supply chains, and digital cooperation.
Kelly expressed, “Our greatest hope is to sign the free trade agreement between India and the EU before our presidency ends. This is our goal, and we are optimistic about achieving it. We will make every possible effort to realize this. The challenging part of the negotiations is now complete, and legal experts from both sides are reviewing the draft agreement to ensure it is legally sound. If Ireland’s presidency is remembered for the signing of the FTA between India and the EU, it will be a significant achievement for us.”
The Irish Ambassador noted that the EU now considers India one of its most important strategic partners.
He added, “This is clearly reflected in our presidency program, which prioritizes the importance of the Indo-Pacific region and the relationship with India.”
This marks the eighth time Ireland has assumed the rotating presidency of the EU Council. Ambassador Kelly stated that this responsibility showcases Ireland’s long-standing commitment to partnership, cooperation, and development in Europe.
He outlined that Ireland’s presidency is based on three main priorities: enhancing competitiveness, safeguarding democratic values, and strengthening security. The motto is “Strength in Unity.”
Kelly mentioned that Ireland is taking over the presidency at a time of significant geopolitical changes worldwide. Conflicts persist in various regions, technology is evolving rapidly, and there is increasing pressure on global cooperation frameworks. He reiterated that Ireland will work alongside its European partners to create a more competitive, secure, and resilient Europe while upholding the EU’s shared democratic values.
He concluded, “Together, India and the EU represent nearly two billion people. We are both strong democracies and major economic powers, becoming more essential partners in addressing global challenges than ever before. During my nearly three years in India, I have repeatedly noticed that people here pay close attention to events in Europe. While trade used to be the primary topic of discussion, now issues such as technology, security, geopolitics, and the changing global order are also being discussed.”
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