At ALDE's intitiative the European Parliament meeting at the Strasbourg plenary session has today adopted a joint resolution on the state of negotiations of a free-trade agreement (FTA) between the EU and India. The European Liberals and Democrats support the efforts undertaken by the European Commission. "This agreement is a bit like the goddess Shiva, it is multifaceted", said Niccolò RINALDI (IdV, Italy) illustrating the wide range of subjects still under discussion; a spirit of compromise on both sides will be necessary to produce a positive outcome.

ALDE's shadow rapporteur underlined the importance that the agreement will not result in a restriction to accessing generic medicines and salutes the Commission's declarations to no longer insist that New Delhi modify its protection system of intellectual property rights on medicines which "would restrict access to generic medicines, of which India is the first manufacturer world-wide", he denounced.

The agreement supports mutual openings of agricultural markets but would like the Commission to show firmness on the crucial question of Protected Geographical Indications and GMO's.  The ALDE Group supports the inclusion of a binding clause on human rights and on social and environmental standards in the chapter on sustainable development.

Finally Niccolò Rinaldi is pleased that India has accepted including public procurement in the scope of this FTA. "It's a first in an international agreement of this type and it's a courageous step on India's part but still insufficient", he concluded.  ALDE deems that all public procurement should be open to competitive tender.

Graham Watson (LibDem, UK), President of the EP delegation for relations with India added:
"If as it now looks likely, the FTA can be agreed on in the next few weeks and signed at this autumn's EU-India summit, Indians and Europeans alike will benefit. Trade is the best tool we have for lifting people out of poverty."