The ministers also discussed how short-term measures such as those taken due to the energy crisis could strengthen EU competitiveness in the long-term…reports Asian Lite News
The green transition and reinforcing the EU single market were the focus of talks among EU competitiveness ministers in Stockholm.
Declining economic performance, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the energy crisis, rising inflation and climate change are all affecting businesses in the EU, said Johan Forssell, Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, on Tuesday.
“It’s therefore important to develop the single market and drive the green transition forward to strengthen long-term competitiveness,” Forssell added.
The EU single market celebrates its 30th anniversary in January 2023. Over the years, many technical, legal and administrative barriers to free trade and movement between EU member states have been removed. Nevertheless, according to the current Swedish Presidency of the EU Council, there are still a number of unjustified barriers for companies and individuals.
At the meeting on Tuesday, ministers also discussed how short-term measures such as those taken due to the energy crisis could strengthen EU competitiveness in the long-term, Xinhua news agency reported.
The three-day informal meeting of EU competitiveness ministers kicked off on Monday, chaired by the Swedish Presidency. The second part of the meeting on Wednesday will focus on research issues.
Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Kingdom of Denmark, Ms. Mette Frederiksen during the bilateral meeting, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on October 09, 2021.
Denmark is the only country in the world with which India has a Green Strategic Partnership which also opens the door to green Danish solutions in India’s green transition, reports Ateet Sharma
India and Denmark are ready to accelerate their Green Strategic Partnership when Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen begins her three-day visit to India on Saturday, becoming the first foreign head of government to be received by PM Narendra Modi since the Covid-19 crisis broke out.
Frederiksen’s visit confirms not only the strengthened political, economic and commercial relations between Denmark and India but also gives a massive push to the Green Strategic Partnership that both countries entered into in September 2020.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting the Prime Minister of Kingdom of Denmark, Ms. Mette Frederiksen, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on October 09, 2021. (PIB)
Denmark is the only country in the world with which India has a Green Strategic Partnership which also opens the door to green Danish solutions in India’s green transition. At the same time, the visit gives an opportunity to discuss the importance of cooperation for the climate area in the run-up to COP26.
“Denmark has a long tradition of engaging in the challenges of the world. This is especially true in the green energy transition, where India as a strong and ambitious player is crucial in solving the climate challenges facing the whole world, “Frederiksen stated before leaving for New Delhi.
The last few years have witnessed a strong bilateral relationship developing between both the countries.
Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi welcomes the Prime Minister of Kingdom of Denmark, Ms. Mette Frederiksen at the Ceremonial Reception, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on October 09, 2021. (PIB)
A year after Frederiksen and PM Modi held their first-ever virtual summit in September 2020, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Copenhagen last month — the first by an Indian Foreign Minister in 20 years — to undertake a comprehensive review of the Indo-Danish partnership.
Solutions and size, skills and scale
Denmark is a global leader in several niche technologies which are of relevance to India. Mentioning that Denmark has skills, India has scale and the world has the need for new technologies, PM Modi had stressed on establishing a research platform where solutions could be found to global issues of concern such as food security, water management, climate change and sustainable development.
Prime Minister of Kingdom of Denmark, Ms. Mette Frederiksen meeting the India dignitaries at the Ceremonial Reception, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on October 09, 2021. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also seen. (PIB)
The Green Strategic Partnership, which has added a new dimension to the bilateral relations, is the first agreement of its kind, which expands cooperation in renewable energy, environment, circular economy, water and waste management, reducing air pollution and various other sectors.
It advances political cooperation, expands economic relations and green growth, creates jobs and strengthens cooperation on addressing global challenges and opportunities with focus on an ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
There are around 200 Danish companies operating in India like Grundfos, Vestss, Maersk, Haldor, Topsoe and CIP which have invested in areas such as shipping, renewable energy, environment, agriculture and food processing and are keen to expand their engagements in other sectors like smart urban development and waste-to-energy. Major chambers like DIDE, Danish shipping and Agriculture and Food Council are also expanding the new age partnership. Similarly, there are 60 Indian companies that have invested in Denmark.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Kingdom of Denmark, Ms. Mette Frederiksen at the Joint Press Statements, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi. (PIB)
“Our Green Strategic Partnership has great potential for Danish companies and Danish exports. In Denmark, we have the solutions, while India, as one of the most populous countries in the world, has the size to be able to push the green transition on a global scale, “Frederiksen said ahead of her India visit.
As the two sides envisage the energy partnership to be further strengthened over the coming years, PM Modi has already invited “like-minded” Denmark to join India, Japan and Australia for supply-chain diversification and resilience. Considerable progress is expected to be made in this and several other spheres over the weekend.
(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)
