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Let India-EU openly discuss child labour, environment: European Commission

NEW DELHI: The European Commission (EC) has called for an open discussion between India and the European Union on how to deal with social and environmental issues, child labour and related matters for the successful conclusion of the ongoing India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.

“It is very clear for us that promoting sustainable development is not a veiled attempt of protectionism. On the contrary, trade negotiations are designed to eliminate barriers and not to create new ones. It is with this spirit that we are negotiating with India. The agreement we have just concluded with Korea, which foresees a dialogue on social and environmental issues [not only] with officials but also with civil society, certainly provides food for thought,” the EC said in a reply to e-mailed queries from The Hindu in the run-up to the India-EU summit here in November.

The EC said the EU had concerns over “discriminatory” taxation of wines and spirits in several Indian States and requested consultations to achieve a positive solution.

Referring to the FTA negotiations, the EC said: “Overall, some good progress has been made across the board of issues, but quite a lot of work is still ahead.” Seven rounds have been held since the launch of negotiations in June 2007.

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