EU Council supports Sri Lanka’s GSP+ application

Nov 17, 2015 (LBO) - The European Council has noted progress made by Sri Lanka on GSP+ criteria and supports renewed application, the institution representing the EU member states' governments said in a statement. Sri Lanka intends to apply for tariff preferences provided under the special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance (GSP+) of the European Union. "The Council reiterates that the purpose of GSP+ is to encourage beneficiary countries to effectively implement the core international conventions on human and labour rights, environmental protection and good governance," it said. "It takes positive note of the progress recently achieved and encourages Sri Lanka to undertake all remaining necessary preparatory work. The Council calls on the High Representative and the European Commission to continue to engage with Sri Lanka to support its efforts to lay the groundwork for a renewed application for GSP+," the statement said. The council said it welcomed the significant advances made by Sri Lanka since the presidential elections held in January 2015 to restore democratic governance, initiate a process of national reconciliation and re-engage with the international community and the United Nations system. "The EU and its Member States actively support the new reform-oriented dynamism in Sri Lanka in order to overcome underlying causes of the past conflict," it said. "In this spirit, they will review their respective assistance programmes to support these objectives, including ensuring coordination with other donors."