Reuters. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday (January 20) the series of recent geopolitical shocks will force the European Union to build a new independent Europe.
"We will only be able to capitalise on this opportunity if we recognise that this change is permanent," she stressed in a speech delivered in Davos.
She added said the European Union was on the verge of concluding a free trade agreement with India, although work remains to get it over the line.
"We are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement. Some call it the mother of all deals, one that would create a market of 2 billion people, accounting for almost a quarter of global GDP," she said in a section of her speech on EU efforts to diversify its trade.
Von der Leyen is expected to visit India early next week.
