New Delhi, May 9 -- Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to India, Herve Delphin, on Friday said that the negotiating teams from the bloc will be India next week.

"...The negotiation of a substantive free trade agreement represents a central plan in our relationship. Our leaders have directed the negotiating teams to conclude the negotiation by the end of the year. Both sides are fully committed to reaching this goal. It is a matter of necessity as much as urgency. Next week, the negotiating teams will meet here in Delhi and it is our sincere hope that it will represent a major milestone towards an agreement," the EU envoy to India said, speaking at the Europe Day celebrations here in the national capital.

"The strength of...